South Wairarapa residents continue to rate their quality of life highly, according to the 2025 Residents Survey – with 89% of respondents saying they enjoy a good or very good quality of life, the highest result since reporting began in 2022.
The annual survey, conducted independently by Versus Research between mid-June and the end of July, invited 3,110 residents to share their views on South Wairarapa District Council services and facilities. A total of 843 people responded – an increase from 775 in 2024.
The district’s community spaces rated well in general, with parks, reserves, libraries, and sports fields well-used and well-regarded. Libraries received the highest satisfaction rating (89%), followed by parks and sports fields (both 85%).
Older residents (80+) reported higher satisfaction across most services. Greytown and Martinborough residents were more likely to be satisfied with their town’s image and amenities, while Featherston residents expressed lower satisfaction in several areas.
So, what’s improving? Several key services saw modest but encouraging improvements:
- Urban and rural roads saw slight increases in satisfaction (40% and 28% respectively).
- Water services reached their highest satisfaction levels since monitoring began, with 76% satisfied with the reliability of the town water supply and 62% with the overall supply.
- Library opening hours saw a notable jump in satisfaction (69%, up from 54%).
- Communication and engagement ratings improved slightly, with community and regional newspapers, the council website, rates newsletters and social media maintained as the preferred channels residents choose to stay informed.
But challenges do remain. The survey highlighted areas where residents want to see more progress:
- Stormwater and flooding remain key concerns, particularly in Featherston, with satisfaction at just 22%.
- Kerbside recycling received its lowest satisfaction rating to date (71%), with affordability and limited options noted as concerns.
- Public toilets continue to receive the lowest satisfaction among community facilities.
- Governance and reputation remain areas for improvement, with satisfaction with leadership, transparency, and financial management below 30%.
South Wairarapa District Council Chief Executive Janice Smith says it’s heartening to know that many residents report high standards of living and utilise and enjoy the community spaces on offer. However, it’s clear the Council has a way to go when it comes to trust and confidence.
“We’re pleased to see improvements in key areas like water services and community facilities, and we acknowledge the work still needed in areas like stormwater and engagement. This feedback is vital as we plan for the future.”
As part of the Council’s 2025–34 Long Term Plan, performance measures have been reviewed. This may lead to changes in how future surveys are conducted from 2026 onwards.