Social Monitor report reveals social trends for Rotorua community

ROTORUA 2pm, 03.02.11: Rotorua District Council has published a report on key social trends in the local community. Social Monitor Rotorua 2010 has been compiled by the council using the latest statistical information from government and other sources.

The report reveals positive trends for Rotorua in a number of areas of social wellbeing. These include a decrease in infant death rates, more people attaining academic qualifications, and a reduction in the number of people injured in traffic accidents.

Rotorua District Council’s social research officer Caroline Matangi said that the results are encouraging and show that the Rotorua community is making real progress in many areas.

The report also shows some negative trends including a high number of people receiving unemployment benefits, more reported crime and a decrease in the number of people voting in local and national elections.

Ms Matangi said the Social Monitor Rotorua was first published about ten years ago and is updated on an annual basis. It offers analysis and insight into social trends in the district.

“The report assists our understanding of the current level of wellbeing in Rotorua, and how this has changed over time. While it cannot always explain what is causing these trends, it can draw our attention to areas requiring further research or intervention to address issues and to improve community wellbeing.

“Rotorua District Council is working on several projects in partnership with other local organisations to achieve shared goals that support the wellbeing of Rotorua residents. Some of the issues identified in this report can best be improved through collaborative effort.”

Copies of the Social Monitor Rotorua 2010 can be downloaded free of charge from the Council website www.rdc.govt.nz (search keyword: 'statistics') or purchased for $12 each from Citizens Advice Bureau.

ENDS

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