Auckland’s topline results for the 2016 Quality of Life Survey have been released, showing 79 per cent of Aucklanders rate their overall quality of life positively.
The biennial survey looks at perceptions of residents on a range of topics to measure the impact of urbanisation, including:
- Quality of life
- Health and wellbeing
- Crime and safety
- Community, culture and social networks
- Council processes
- Built and natural environment
- Public transport
- Economic wellbeing
- Housing
2720 surveys were completed by Aucklanders in March and 79 per cent agree that their local area is a great place to live.
For housing, four in ten Aucklanders agree that their housing costs are affordable and eight in ten agree that the type of house or apartment they live in and that the general area or neighbourhood their house or apartment is in suits their needs.
Twenty six per cent of residents stated they are regular users (twice a week or more often) of public transport, with 14 per cent using it five or more times a week.
In the crime section, the most commonly perceived problem is dangerous driving.
The majority of Auckland respondents feel safe in their home after dark (87 per cent), and in their city centre during the day (88 per cent).
However, a lower proportion (60 per cent) said they feel safe walking alone in their neighbourhood after dark, and less than half (39 per cent) feel safe in their city centre after dark.
What is the survey?
The 2016 Quality of Life survey is a collaborative local government research project, which began in 2003.
The survey was originally established in response to growing pressures on urban communities, concern about the impacts of urbanisation and the effect of this on the wellbeing of residents.
This year, 7000 residents over 18 have taken part in the survey from the participating council areas:
• Auckland Council
• Hamilton City Council
• Hutt City Council
• Porirua City Council
• Wellington City Council
• Christchurch City Council
• Dunedin City Council
• Waikato Regional Council
• Greater Wellington Regional Council.
Throughout the 2016 report, the results for all nine council areas are reported on separately, however a major focus of the results is on the seven cities, as these are predominantly urban areas.
Auckland Council will use the survey to help inform policy and planning responses to population growth and change.
What are the national topline results?
The survey revealed that most residents in the seven cities are pretty happy with their lot in life, with 81 per cent rating their overall quality of life as positive, and 27 per cent saying it had improved over the previous 12 months.
79 per cent agreed that their city or local area is a great place to live, and 62 per cent feel a sense of pride in the way their city or local area looks and feels.
Just over half (56 per cent) felt that a growing number of people with different lifestyles and cultures and from different countries makes their city a better place to live.
However, the survey also continues to highlight some concerns for urban dwellers particularly around anti-social issues affecting their local communities.
These included dangerous driving including drink driving and speeding, car theft, damage to cars or theft from cars, and alcohol and drug problems or anti-social behaviour associated with the consumption of alcohol.
Some households are struggling to make ends meet with almost one in five (19 per cent) feeling they did not have enough money to cover the costs of their everyday needs, and 40 per cent feeling they had ‘enough’ or ‘more than enough’ money.
This year’s survey included several questions related to housing.
While 83 per cent of the seven city respondents agreed that the type of house or apartment that they lived in suited their needs, and 86 per cent agreed that the area they lived in suited their needs, just under half agreed that their housing costs, including rent, mortgage, insurance and maintenance, were affordable.
26 per cent of respondents agreed that they had experienced problems with damp or mould in their home during winter.
Where can I find out more?
More detailed Auckland results can be found here (131KB).
The survey results will be available on The Quality of Life Project website.
