By Moana Ellis, Local Democracy Reporting
Whanganui residents are giving their council higher marks, with satisfaction lifting sharply across a wide range of services.
The latest Community Views Survey shows public approval of waste and recycling has jumped from 41 percent to 62 percent since kerbside recycling began in July last year.
Satisfaction with council staff is also on the rise, lifting from 66 percent in 2024 to 75 percent this year. Confidence in the mayor and councillors has grown too, up from 30 percent to 43 percent.
Other improvements include local roads (39% to 51%), parks and open spaces (64% to 75%), sportsgrounds (71% to 77%), public art (57% to 67%) and library visits (53% to 60%).
Community engagement is also improving, with fewer residents reporting no involvement in council decision-making — down from 56 percent to 40 percent.
Council chief executive David Langford said the gains show residents notice when investment goes into services they value.
“It’s really encouraging to see public satisfaction increasing across so many areas. These results show that when we invest in services like recycling, roads, parks and customer service, people notice the difference,” he said.
The survey is carried out annually by independent research company Versus, with input from the council. It measures satisfaction with council services and facilities as well as perceptions of community wellbeing.
Langford said while the improvements are a strong signal the council is on the right track, the results also highlight areas still needing work.
“These results are a positive step forward, but we’re not complacent. The survey also tells us where the community expects us to improve, such as public toilets and consents, and we will be focusing on those areas over the next year.”
Results from the Community Views Survey are used to track progress against the council’s Long-Term Plan and to guide future priorities.
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