Survey shows strong overall confidence in Council

South Taranaki residents have given Council strong overall results in its annual 2025/26 Residents Satisfaction Survey, with 91% satisfaction with Council’s overall performance as an organisation and 92% satisfaction in elected members.

The survey also found 93% of residents said they know where to access Council information and 92% were satisfied with opportunities to participate in Council decisions.

Residents also rated a number of Council services very highly. Public libraries were the highest-rated service at 96% satisfaction, followed by wastewater/sewerage at 95%, cemeteries at 95%, and parks, reserves and playgrounds at 92%. The report says residents regularly described libraries as a well-loved community asset and praised parks and gardens as well maintained across the district.

At the same time, the report identified clear areas for improvement. Council roads were the lowest-rated service at 61% satisfaction, while stormwater management dropped to 80% and satisfaction with recent contact with Council fell to 75%. Feedback pointed to concerns about potholes, drainage, slow follow-up and unresolved issues. Other issues raised by residents included water quality in some areas, refuse collection frequency and bin size.

Council CEO, Fiona Aitken, says she is pleased with the results of the survey; however, the Council is always looking to improve the services it provides.

“It’s encouraging to see strong overall confidence in Council and positive results across many of the services our communities use every day. Just as importantly, the survey gives us clear feedback on where we need to do better, particularly around roads, stormwater and following up when residents contact us. That feedback helps us focus on what matters most to our communities.”

Aitken says the results will help guide future service planning and improvement work across the organisation.

“We don’t always get it right, but I know how hard our staff work for the people of South Taranaki and we are continually looking at ways we can lift the bar in terms of performance. But it is good to know that most people think we are moving in the right direction and understand we are trying to provide the best for our communities with the resources we have,” she says.

The district-wide survey was completed by 488 residents across two waves between late 2025 and early 2026 by independent research company Public Voice.