Here are our most recent media releases in pdf format.

Launch Presentation
National Media Release

Local Media Releases

Quality of Life report - Rodney District Council
Quality of Life report - North Shore City Council
Quality of Life report - Waitakere City Council
Quality of Life report - Auckland City Council
Quality of Life report - Manukau City Council
Quality of Life report- Hamilton City Council
Quality of Life report - Tauranga City Council
Quality of Life report - Wellington Region
Quality of Life report- Christchurch City Council
Quality of Life report - Dunedin City Council

For further information:

Jim Harland
Quality of Life Project Sponsor/ Chief Executive
Dunedin City Council
Phone: (03) 474 3851
Email:

 

For technical information:

Kath Jamieson
Research Team Project Coordinator
Christchurch City Council
Phone: 021 238 4111
Email:

Media Releases

QUALITY OF LIFE REPORT 2007: GENERAL MEDIA RELEASE
PDF FormatEmbargoed Until The Official Release Of The Quality Of Life Report, 1pm, Tuesday, November 27, 2007

Joint media release from the Councils of North Shore, Waitakere, Auckland, Manukau, Rodney, Hamilton, Tauranga, Wellington, Hutt, Porirua, Christchurch and Dunedin.

People living in New Zealand cities have a high quality of life but local authorities must work together to ease the pressures of growth, a new report says.

The 2007 Quality of Life report, released by the Metropolitan Sector Group today, provides a comprehensive assessment of the quality of life in 12 New Zealand cities, as part of a multi-council initiative.
“This report shows that urban New Zealand is essentially a great place to live, work and play,” said Jim Harland, Chief Executive of Dunedin City Council and Quality of Life Project sponsor.

The report showed people living in New Zealand cities had a high quality of life, with growing populations and economies, and a high degree of social cohesion even with increasing diversity, he said. The vast majority of residents in the cities (90%) felt they had a positive overall quality of life.
“City residents feel that they enjoy a good quality of life, are happy and satisfied with their lives and report that they are in good health. On the whole, they have a sense of pride in their city and consider that their cities offer them a culturally rich and diverse arts scene.”

The Quality of Life project started with six councils in 1999 and has since expanded to 12 territorial local authorities, including: Rodney; North Shore; Waitakere; Auckland; Manukau; Hamilton; Tauranga; Porirua; Hutt; Wellington; Christchurch; and Dunedin.

The report provides data on people; knowledge and skills; health; safety; housing; social connectedness; civil and political rights; economic standard of living; economic development; the natural environment; and the built environment.

Mr Harland said the aim was to give decision-makers more information to improve the quality of life in major New Zealand urban areas.

“Monitoring across the cities helps councils develop a consistent set of indicators, identify major urban issues and develop comprehensive responses,” he said.

Since the last Quality of Life report in 2003, many improvements had been made in all four areas of well-being, including economic, environmental, cultural and social, said Mr Harland.

The 2007 report showed most residents in the 12 cities were generally satisfied with their lives, enjoyed clean air and water and had ready access to employment, housing and services such as health and education, he said.

The economy was strong, median personal and household incomes had increased in the cities, and there had been an increase in jobs and a drop in unemployment. The 12 cities accounted for nearly two-thirds of all economic activity in New Zealand and the city economies had grown, on average, by 4.3% per year over the five years to March 2006.

Aspects of safety in the cities had also improved, he said. The rate of serious and fatal road crashes fell, there was a decline in the rate of workplace accidents and the overall rate of crime declined.
However, the report also highlighted a number of challenges. The key issue for the cities was how to accommodate growth in a sustainable way, said Mr Harland.

“Our cities make up more than half of New Zealand’s population and are continuing to grow rapidly. Most of New Zealand’s total population growth in the next 20 years is projected to take place in the 12 cities.”

Such fast growth placed pressure on city infrastructure. Traffic congestion, some instances of poor air and water quality, graffiti, vandalism, litter and noise were all issues that needed to be addressed.
The local authorities also acknowledged that not everyone experienced all the positive aspects of New Zealand cities and the gap between those with a better or poorer quality of life was widening in some instances, Mr Harland said.

“Action is now needed to plan for long-term growth in our cities, to improve access to key services, and promote economic and environmental sustainability,” said Mr Harland.

The 12 cities would work together to identify the priority issues and which agencies needed to address them. It was essential that infrastructure and services supported the continued population growth in cities, and the increasing social and cultural diversity, he said.

“An even better quality of life for all city residents will come about only if local government, central government and our communities work together.”
For more information, please contact:

Jim Harland or Andrea Howard
Dunedin City Council
Ph (03) 474 3851

Kath Jamieson
Principal Research Adviser
Ph (03) 941 8885

National Highlights
The report includes 68 key quality of life indicators and 186 measures across 11 areas. The data has been drawn from Quality of Life surveys undertaken in 2004 and 2006 (conducted in partnership with the Ministry of Social Development) and from secondary data sources, such as government agencies and non-governmental organisations. The report looks at resident perceptions and objective measures of health and well-being, community, crime and safety, education and work, the environment, culture and identity.

Key results
Notable findings include:

  • The vast majority of residents in New Zealand and in the 12 cities say they have a positive overall quality of life. The vast majority (90.0%) of residents felt they had a positive overall quality of life, rating it as good or extremely good.
  • Life expectancy has increased across all 12 cities.
  • Our cities are growing in population. Over the next 20 years, the majority of New Zealand’s total population growth is projected to take place in the 12 cities. At present, our cities account for more than half of New Zealand’s population and have grown at a faster rate than the national average.
  • The pace of growth in our cities is placing considerable pressure on the environment, infrastructure and social fabric of our cities.
  • Some cities are facing environmental issues such as traffic congestion, poor air quality, poor beach and stream quality, the management of waste and protecting the cities’ biodiversity.
  • Residents in our cities are more likely to rate issues associated with urban life, such as graffiti, vandalism, litter and noise, as concerns than those residing in the rest of New Zealand.
  • Our cities are not just growing in population, they are becoming increasingly culturally diverse.
  • Most of our residents have a sense of connection with others, although some city residents experience social isolation.
  • Nationally, 88.0% of New Zealand residents felt they had a positive emotional well-being, responding with a rating of either ‘very happy’ (36.0%) or ‘happy’ (52.0%).
  • There are continuing and, in some cases, increasing disparities between groups of people in our cities.
  • The burden of socioeconomic disadvantage is borne largely by Maori and Pacific Islands people, teenage mothers and sole parent families.
  • Home ownership in our cities has been declining, but is still the dominant form of tenure. Maori and Pacific Islands people are least likely to own their own homes.
  • During the past five years, all 12 cities have experienced growing levels of estimated Gross Domestic Product, low unemployment levels and an overall increase in inflation adjusted earnings. During the same period the total mortgage debt across the country has grown by $59.8 billion.
  • Over half of the nation’s wealth is owned by just 10.0% of the population. Conversely, more than half the population owns only 5.0% of the nation’s total net worth.
  • There has been a decline in the rate of total recorded crime and recorded burglary, car and drugs and anti-social offences over the period 2002/2003 to 2005/2006.
  • Attendance in Early Childhood Education is increasing, and those in our cities are comparatively well qualified. However, there has been an increase in the truancy rate and numbers of students receiving early leaving exemptions.
  • All residents in the 12 cities have access to kerbside recycling, and energy efficiency projects are underway in most of the cities. Air and water pollution was perceived as a concern in some cities.
  • More than half of the residents in most of the 12 cities consider their public transport as affordable, safe and convenient. However, the majority of residents use a motor vehicle to get to work.
  • One third of residents in our cities believe that they have an understanding of how their council makes decisions, and more than half believe the public has some influence on those decisions.

POINTS FOR ACTION
To maintain and improve quality of life in our cities, coordinated and focused action is required to:

  • Plan for long-term growth in our cities.
  • Promote economic sustainability and plan for an inclusive, innovative economy that reduces poverty, deprivation, disparities and the effects of these on city residents.
  • Make homes more affordable.
  • Work to minimise the social and physical issues associated with living in urban environments such as noise, graffiti, air quality and beach and stream water quality.
  • Improve access to key services, in particular General Practitioners, in the 12 cities and the rest of New Zealand.
  • Focus on making sure people feel safe in their city centres, particularly at night.
  • Promote actions that enhance and sustain the environment, such as increasing the use of alternatives to private motor vehicles.
  • Improve the well-being and safety of our cities’ children.
  • Address the significant over-representation of Maori and Pacific Island students in school suspensions, stand-downs and exclusions.
  • Work to raise public awareness of how councils make decisions and how people can be involved in decision-making.
  • Continue to monitor progress towards achieving the quality of life outcomes for our 12 cities.

 

MEDIA RELEASE
PDF FormatNew Zealanders have great quality of life
Quality of Life Survey Results

Dunedin (22 February 2007) – Most New Zealanders believe they have a very high quality of life, according to the results of a national survey released today. The biennial Quality of Life survey measures the perceptions of over 7,500 residents living in the country’s largest cities and districts. Conducted by research company TNS, the survey is jointly funded by the twelve participating Councils and the Ministry of Social Development.* The survey sample comprised 500 telephone interviews in each of the 12 largest cities and districts and 1,500 residents from the rest of New Zealand.


Ninety percent of residents living in the 12 cities rated their overall quality of life positively, compared with 91 percent of respondents living outside of these main areas. Similarly, 90 percent of 12 cities residents viewed their overall health as favourable. Those who rated their health the best live in Tauranga and ‘the rest of New Zealand’, while those who rated it less favourably live in Auckland and Waitakere. Standards of living within our major cities and districts were also reportedly positive, with the majority of people interviewed (88% 12 cities, 87% ‘rest of New Zealand’) saying they had enough money to cover the cost of their everyday lives.


Jim Harland, Quality of Life Project Sponsor, said the survey results are heartening and “show that people’s experiences of life in New Zealand’s major cities and districts are very optimistic and that they have continued to rise compared to the 2004 survey. However, the results still highlight areas to which both local and central government policy makers need to devote greater attention”.


The majority (90%) of 12 cities residents viewed their health positively, responding with a rating of either excellent (22%), very good (40%), or good (27%). Twenty percent of 12 cities respondents and nineteen percent of those from the ‘rest of New Zealand’ experienced some type of barrier when going to visit their general practitioner. Among those who had experienced such barriers, the most frequently mentioned was the expense (53% 12 cities, 41% ‘rest of New Zealand) or that they were too busy or could not take time off work (23% 12 cities, 18% ‘rest of New Zealand’).


Reflecting results from those in the ‘rest of New Zealand’, the majority of the 12 cities’ respondents felt safe in their homes during the day (96%) and 91 percent felt safe after dark. Dunedin, Wellington and Christchurch are where most people feel safe in their homes after dark, while Manukau and Auckland are where they feel less safe. Feelings of overall safety in central city areas after dark was considerably lower with only 50 percent stating that they felt very safe (12%) or fairly safe (38%). The most frequently mentioned reason for feeling unsafe was the perception of dangerous people, high profile media coverage of crime, alcohol and drug problems and poor lighting in these areas.


Males were significantly more likely to indicate that they felt safe in their city centre (58%) compared to females (42%). Those who indicated they were more likely to have encountered ‘unsafe people’ (due to behaviour, attitude or appearance) live in Manukau, Auckland, Waitakere and Christchurch. Conversely, those from Rodney, Dunedin or ‘the rest of NZ’ were less likely to have had a problem.

 

Social connectedness within our communities could be improved with only 56 percent of those surveyed in the 12 cities feeling like there was a sense of community in their local neighbourhood, compared with 65 percent in the ‘rest of New Zealand’. The 'busy lives of fellow residents' and 'unfriendly neighbours' were the main reasons behind this perceived lack of community. Those from Rodney or ‘the rest of NZ’ have a higher expectation of a ‘sense of community’ whereas those from Hamilton, Tauranga or Christchurch have less of an expectation. Maori and Pacific Islanders felt more of a ‘sense of community’ than other ethnic groups.

 

A lack of awareness amongst urban dwellers about Council decision-making processes emerged as an issue, with only 35 percent of 12 cities’ respondents stating that they had an understanding of Council decision-making. This compares with 44 percent of those from the ‘rest of New Zealand’. Over half of the 12 cities’ respondents (53%) desired a greater say in Council operations and only 42 percent felt that they had confidence that their Council makes decisions in the best interests of the area.

 

Fifty-eight percent of 12 cities’ residents felt a sense of pride in their area. This was much less than those living in the ‘rest of New Zealand’ (65%). Those who were significantly more likely to have felt a sense of pride in their area (either strongly agree or agree) were living in Wellington (82%), Dunedin (73%), Hamilton (69%) and Christchurch (68%). While those who were significantly less likely to have felt a sense of pride in their city lived in Manukau (39%), Auckland (43%), Waitakere (50%) and Rodney (53%). Key issues affecting sense of pride included the presence of rubbish and graffiti or vandalism and the need for better city maintenance.

 

Only 21 percent of 12 cities respondents’ were regular users of public transport (2 or more times per week), compared to 6 percent in the ‘rest of New Zealand’. The availability of public transport options did not appear to be a significant issue as 67% of people believed they were able to access a public transport facility. Jim Harland said, “The lack of uptake of public transport is an increasingly important issue as we grapple with the impacts of climate change and rising fuel costs. Each city needs to do more to persuade its residents to leave their cars at home”.

 

Kiwi’s living within the 12 cities seem to be embracing physical activity, with 56 percent of those surveyed participating in some type of activity five or more days per week. However, those living in the ‘rest of New Zealand’ participated even more (61%). Only seven percent of respondents from the 12 cities indicated that they did not currently undertake any form of physical activity.


Jim Harland said, “the Quality of Life project provides important information about our residents. The fact that we are working on this with the Ministry of Social Development only strengthens our ability to identify any significant issues and address them at both the national and local level”.
About the Quality of Life 2006 Survey *


The Quality of Life 2006 Survey is the second national survey in a partnership between 12 Quality of Life Project Cities and the Ministry of Social Development. The 12 cities are: North Shore, Waitakere, Auckland, Manukau, Hamilton, Tauranga, Wellington, Porirua, Hutt, Christchurch, Dunedin and Rodney District.


The 2006 survey is part of an ongoing series of surveys and research exploring quality of life and well-being issues. Topics covered include:

  • Quality of Life
  • Health and Well-being
  • Crime and safety
  • Community, Culture and Social Networks
  • Council Processes
  • Built Environment
  • Public Transport
  • Lifestyle – Work and Study


Information obtained from the survey will be used to help inform central and local government policy makers. The information will be particularly useful for cities undertaking monitoring of progress toward achieving community outcomes under their Local Government Act requirements.


Survey interviews were conducted over the telephone with 7,720 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 7,720.


Local level information on the Quality of Life survey will be available to the media from each of the 12 participating Councils.