Waste management had the highest score at 84% satisfaction, up from 76%.<\/p>\n
The council\u2019s reputation had the lowest score at 35%, with a 9-point improvement.<\/p>\n
The value-for-money perception rating rose to 39%, up from 30%.<\/p>\n
New affordability questions added last December also showed improved ratings.<\/p>\n
The perception that Tauranga\u2019s rates are affordable rose to 30% from 21%, rent affordability rose to 29% from 18%, and the city\u2019s cost of living rose to 23% from 17%.<\/p>\n
The latest results showed that satisfaction improved in all nine overall key performance indicators. Photo \/ John Borren<\/p>\n
The results were presented to the council\u2019s City Delivery Committee meeting on Tuesday last week. <\/p>\n
A staff report said public comments highlighted appreciation for core services such as water management, libraries, pools and parks, as well as concerns about affordability and perceived overspending. <\/p>\n
Survey respondents raised concerns about homelessness, safety in public spaces, and a lack of transparency in decision-making. <\/p>\n
They called for better budgeting, community engagement and prioritisation of essential services.<\/p>\n
Trust in leadership and financial management remained below 30%.<\/p>\n
Perception of safety for cyclists dropped to 45%, down from 56%.<\/p>\n
The council does the survey each year to see how residents view its performance in various services and initiatives.<\/p>\n
A summary of the high-level survey results of the 2024-25 full year compared to the first wave of 2025-26 results and their trend. Graphic \/ Tauranga City Council<\/p>\n
Key Research conducts the survey over four waves during the year, and results are compiled into an annual report.<\/p>\n
The latest results came from 154 surveys conducted in August and October for the first wave of 2025-26.<\/p>\n
The participants are from a random selection of residents sourced from the electoral roll and mailed an invitation letter with a link to an online survey.<\/p>\n
This year, the council\u2019s results were also benchmarked against 21 other councils that use Key Research.<\/p>\n
This comparison found Tauranga\u2019s council performed well across core services, but the results for reputation, engagement and elected member performance were below the all-council average. <\/p>\n
At an elected member\u2019s request, this year the council also provided a comparison of the latest survey results with the past two full-term elected councils.<\/p>\n
Compared with the average of 2015-16 and 2018-19 results, the current council is behind in all key performance indicators except public facilities (on par) and waste management (improved).<\/p>\n
A summary of high-level survey results for 2025-26 so far compared to prior full-term elected councils. Graphic \/ Tauranga City Council<\/p>\n
The council elected in 2019 was not included. It did not serve a full term because the Government removed it and replaced it with a commission from 2021 until last year\u2019s election.<\/p>\n
P\u0101p\u0101moa ward councillor Steve Morris is the only councillor from the sacked cohort re-elected to the new council. <\/p>\n
He told SunLive the council\u2019s reputation dropped when the commission was appointed.<\/p>\n
He attributed this to a \u201cdemocratic deficit\u201d.<\/p>\n
\u201cPeople like democracy. They may not like politicians, but they do like the opportunity to elect them in and boot them out.\u201d<\/p>\n
P\u0101p\u0101moa ward councillor Steve Morris. Photo \/ Supplied<\/p>\n
Morris said he believed the current elected council had turned a corner and was working to rebuild public faith.<\/p>\n
He said the survey comments often mentioned a desire for more two-way communication. <\/p>\n
\u201cSo not just us communicating with them, but feeling that they are really being listened to and that we are acting on their feedback.\u201d<\/p>\n
Morris said his experience was that the public\u2019s perception of the council was mixed. <\/p>\n
He said a \u201creset\u201d had started and needed to continue.<\/p>\n
He felt that more could be done and that the council could better communicate about its activities, which he believed would improve confidence and reputation. <\/p>\n
Arataki ward councillor Rick Curach. Photo \/ Alisha Evans<\/p>\n