Whanganui wellbeing survey results shared
Published on 01 December 2023
More than 660 people have responded to a Whanganui survey about wellbeing and hundreds more have shared their ideas with the council at engagement events says Whanganui District Council’s policy manager, Elise Broadbent.
She says the council is working in collaborative leadership with Hapū and the wider community to develop a wellbeing strategy for Whanganui.
“The starting point for this has been conversations with our community. Along with Hapū partners, councillors and Mayor Andrew Tripe, we’ve attended or hosted 20 events in person over the last few months.”
Elise Broadbent says the council has interviewed community leaders and social service providers, undertaken social media pulse surveys and held workshops with various groups.
“We’ve been to libraries, community centres and marae, held a café discussion and community sausage sizzles ‑ and attended events such as the Kaumātua Games, the Pasifika 4 Pasifika Expo and the Fest of Cultural Unity.
“We’d like to thank everyone that completed the Vision for Whanganui survey or came to see us and share their thoughts,” she says. “We’re really pleased with the interest the community has shown and it’s been exciting to hear and see so many people expressing the things they love about Whanganui and their ideas for the future.”
Project manager, Robyn Vickery shared a summary of the survey responses with the council’s Strategy and Policy Committee on Tuesday, 28 November.
She says, “When people were asked what they love and what is unique about Whanganui, the community itself was the standout and many described it as supportive. Te Awa Tupua, the Whanganui River, was central to Whanganui’s unique identity. Arts and heritage also featured strongly in these sections with people mentioning Whanganui’s wall art, galleries and vibrant music scene.
“Social connection was critical to wellbeing and the environment was seen as a high priority.
“In terms of the vision our community has for Whanganui, some key themes emerged from the survey data. These were affordability of housing and the cost of living; the importance of the Whanganui River; availability of housing and service and support for the homeless; cultural and community connection and identity – and maintaining the environment with future generations in mind.”
Elise Broadbent says, “These community responses are helping us design a new strategy which will replace the Leading Edge Strategy developed in 2014. We’ll bring it back to the community, along with our Long-Term Plan 2024-34, for formal consultation in April 2024.
The summary of survey findings can be viewed at www.whanganui.govt.nz/vision-for-whanganui