Public trust in the Otago Regional Council’s information has jumped 8% in the past year.
But only one-third of survey respondents say they are satisfied with how the council delivers its services.
The latest community survey found stronger awareness of ORC’s public-facing work, especially environmental management and public transport. The council says the results will shape its priorities as national reforms to local government continue.
ORC chairwoman Hilary Calvert thanked people across Otago who took part. “While ORC is engaging in the reform conversations led by central government, we still have important functions to deliver and feedback from the community will help us be the very best council we can be in the time we have left,” Calvert said.
Calvert said the response rate was encouraging and the results gave the council a clearer picture of where it was doing well. “It was heartening to see the level of responses and that in many areas of our work there was an increased awareness or satisfaction levels from the public. Alternately, it’s good to know now that there are some areas where we still have more work to do,” she said.
What the ORC survey found about trust and awareness
The survey recorded the highest level of trust in ORC information since monitoring began, with trust up 8% this year. The council linked the increase to improved perceptions of accessibility and clarity in its communications.
Awareness of the council’s activities remained high, with “strong recognition” of its environmental management and public transport roles. Since 2023, more respondents also recognised ORC’s part in resource consents, risk reduction, navigational safety, and climate change adaptation work.
The council said it drew a strong response after letters were posted inviting people to take part online. It said the online letters recorded an 11% click-through rate, well above the 7% anticipated.
While ORC is engaging in the reform conversations led by central government, we still have important functions to deliver and feedback from the community will help us be the very best council we can be in the time we have left.
Which ORC services people were happiest with
Satisfaction with ORC’s delivery was generally positive in several areas. The survey reported high satisfaction for public transport, harbour safety, port ownership and river management.
Users’ satisfaction ratings for public transport, the council’s website, and rule inquiries were similar to 2023. Use of ORC services stayed consistent over the year.
Brand perceptions were broadly similar to the previous monitoring period, although most measures have improved since the first survey in 2021. Urban respondents tended to rate the council higher than districts with larger rural populations.
What people want the council to prioritise on the environment
Environmental priorities named by respondents included water quality, freshwater supply, air quality, growth management and natural resource preservation. Nearly one-quarter of respondents said all environmental areas should be addressed in the future.
People also raised specific local concerns by district. Dunedin City respondents highlighted air quality, thriving ecosystems and community resilience, while Queenstown Lakes respondents pointed to tourism growth and population pressure.
In Clutha, pest management was an explicit concern, and in Waitaki, water supply was singled out. The council described the feedback as a useful guide for how its regional work lands in different communities.
Why value for money remains a weak spot
Perceptions of value for money changed very little over time, the survey found. Only one-third of respondents said they were satisfied with how ORC delivers its services, despite the lift in trust and awareness.
Satisfaction levels were slightly lower for some core functions, including regulatory delivery, the provision of land information and rules for sustainable land use. ORC has flagged those areas as priorities for the year ahead.
The council said it will focus on delivery of regulatory functions, provision of land information, and improving overall value for ratepayers. Those priorities sit alongside ORC’s ongoing work on public transport and environmental management.
When councillors will debate the findings
Councillors will discuss the draft survey report at ORC’s meeting on Wednesday. The council says it will then consider how to respond to the feedback.
Local government performance and public trust have become sharper political questions as central government explores reforms. ORC’s statutory responsibilities, including regional planning and environmental regulation, are set out under the Local Government Act 2002.
For residents tracking how public services affect daily life, recent debates have also covered public health and community resilience, including a Dunedin meningococcal vaccine rush. The survey’s district-by-district concerns, such as air quality and water supply, are expected to feature in ORC’s planning and budget discussions.
ORC’s next public meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, when councillors will debate the draft report.
