23 March 2005

Survey shows most are satisfied with quality of Waitakere life

The majority of Waitakere residents (86%) rate their quality of life as “good” or “extremely good” in a Quality of Life Survey, while an overwhelming majority (98%) of the city's residents have had some positive contact with people in their neighbourhood.

The survey’s results show that about 84 percent of Waitakere residents take part in regular physical exercise and the same percentage are satisfied with life in general.

Over half (54%) have confidence that the decisions the council makes are in the best interest of the city. This is above the national average (50%) and that of other cities in the Auckland Region.

The survey was a joint effort between the Ministry of Social Development and the 12 Quality of Life Project Cities and is part of an ongoing series of research exploring quality of life and well-being issues in cities throughout New Zealand.

The 12 cities include North Shore, Waitakere, Auckland, Manukau, Hamilton, Tauranga, Wellington, Porirua, Hutt, Christchurch, Dunedin and Rodney District.

This information is used to help inform central and local government policy, particularly for cities undertaking monitoring of progress toward achieving community outcomes under the Local Government Act.

Survey interviews were conducted over the telephone with 7,800 people, with a margin of error of +/- 1.2% on the 6,300 interviews conducted in the 12 cities and +/- 1.1% on the total New Zealand sample of 7,800.

Waitakere City¹s results were similar to those of the larger cities in New Zealand, particularly those in the Auckland Region, highlighting that the issues that face residents of large urban areas are very similar.

The overall purpose of this study is to identify common issues facing urban communities with the objective of working together with central government, community organisations, businesses and residents to improve the lives of people living in cities.

Survey Results:

The majority (86%) of Waitakere City residents rated their quality of life as “good” or “extremely good”.

Over half (58%) of Waitakere City residents rated their overall health as “good” or “very good”.

Of those residents who had experienced barriers to their leisure activities (42%), most attributed this to lack of time due to family and/or work commitments.

The majority (84%) of Waitakere City Residents say they participate in some form of physical activity at least once a week, with 35% participating in some form of physical activity everyday.

84% of Waitakere City residents are satisfied with their life in general.

Over half of Waitakere City residents (54%) have confidence that the decision that Council makes is in the best interest of their city which is above the national average (50%) and that of other cities in the Auckland Region.

The majority of Waitakere City residents agree that they are using their work skills, training and experience in their current job.

67% of Waitakere City residents are satisfied with their balance between their work and other aspects of life.

The majority of Waitakere City residents feel safe from crime in their own neighbourhood after dark (67%), but just under one third (27%) do not feel safe from crime in their town centre after dark.

Waitakere City Residents are more likely to see dangerous driving as a problem in their city compared to the national average (67% and 60% respectively).

Over half of Waitakere City residents (53%) stated that the group or social network that mattered to them the most was mostly made up of people who had the same interests, culture or beliefs as them, but who did not necessarily live in their area. Twenty-two percent stated that their social networks were mostly made up of people who lived in the same area as them (that is, their local neighbourhood), while 22% stated that there were no particular groups or networks that they felt part of.

Waitakere residents are less likely to see air, water and noise pollution as a problem in their city, compared with the national average.

About three quarters (74%) of Waitakere City residents agree that their city has a culturally rich and diverse arts scene (much higher than the national average of 63%).

Of those that had a sense of pride in the way their city looks and feels (67%), the majority said so because of the "green city, beautiful parks and gardens and friendly, welcoming people."

ENDS

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