News Release 
1 July 2013

New Rotorua Social Monitor reveals some progress in social wellbeing

ROTORUA 01.07.13:  A report on key social trends in Rotorua released by Rotorua District Council (RDC) this week shows progress being made in a number of social wellbeing areas.

The latest Social Monitor Rotorua has been compiled by the council using the latest statistical information from government and other sources.  The document provides analyses and insights into social trends in the district, and is part of a series of publications produced by RDC to track social trends and assist with community planning. 

Progress in social wellbeing revealed in the report includes a decrease in the total number of children being stood down, suspended and excluded from school, a decrease in notifications to Child, Youth and Family, and an increase in the percentage of people who feel the public has at least some influence on Council decisions.

However negative trends include a higher than national rate of infant deaths, higher than national rate of people receiving an Unemployment Benefit, and a drop in the percentage of people rating community spirit as good or very good.

RDC policy and research officer, Caroline Matangi, said the information and data collected for the Social Monitor helps to increase awareness and understanding of key social patterns and trends in the district.  

“Rotorua District Council works closely with many other Rotorua stakeholder groups, including NZ Police, Lakes DHB, and other central government and not-for-profit organisations, on projects that support the wellbeing of Rotorua residents. 

“Some of the areas of collaborative work currently underway in Rotorua are coordinated by the council and others by central government agencies such as police, health, education, or by other not-for-profit groups. All of these sectors have distinct but complementary roles in the development and delivery of public policy and services for our residents. 

“We know that through these partnerships we can more effectively improve services for the community, and more specifically make improvements in the issues identified in this report.“

The Social Monitor is available at the Rotorua District Library and can be purchased for $12 per copy from the council’s Customer Centre.  The Social Monitor can also be downloaded free of charge from the Council website www.rdc.govt.nz [under Our Council/Publications/Monitoring and Statistics/Related Pages].

ENDS

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