Residents Applaud Council in Latest Survey Results

Waimate District Council is proud to share the results of its latest residents’ survey, which shows strong support and satisfaction from the community across a wide range of services.

The independent survey, carried out by Key Research earlier this year, gathered feedback from 405 residents and confirmed what many already know, that Waimate is a great place to live, and the Council is delivering on its promise to serve the community well.

Waimate ranked above the national average among 21 councils in 36 out of 38 key areas and was recognised as a top performer in 12. From overall performance and reputation to quality of life and the leadership of the Mayor and Councillors, the results reflect a district that’s well-governed and well-supported.

One of the most encouraging results was the 86% of respondents who rated their overall quality of life in Waimate as positive, one of the highest scores in the country.

Parks and reserves continue to be a community favourite, with 87% satisfaction, the highest rating among Council facilities. Waste management also received strong praise, with 85% of respondents satisfied with the collection service.

While most areas saw improvement, the survey highlighted concerns around rising rates. Like many councils across New Zealand, Waimate District Council is facing the challenge of increasing costs to deliver essential services. Council remains committed to keeping rate increases manageable, maintaining low debt, and ensuring high-quality service delivery.

Mayor Craig Rowley welcomed the results, saying “Council celebrates these outstanding results. We’ve outperformed our peers across the country. We’ll take on board the feedback, learn from it, and continue to improve.”

He thanked fellow elected members and Council staff for their dedication to community wellbeing. He also extended his thanks to everyone who took part in the survey.

The residents’ survey is conducted every two years and plays a vital role in shaping Council’s priorities and guiding future improvements.

You can find the full document here.

You can find the community survey benchmark here.