What Residents Are Saying: A Look at the 2025 Resident Satisfaction Survey Results
Feedback is vital to Council, offering valuable insight into how our performance, facilities and services are received. The Resident Satisfaction Survey is one of Council’s tools for gathering these perspectives. The survey is conducted quarterly, and in early September, Jeena Baines, MDC’s Data, Insights and Research Analyst, presented the Quarter/Wave 4 results and the 2025 yearly summary at Council.
Each quarter, 120-130 people are randomly selected to complete the survey. The residents rate their satisfaction level on 74 questions, using a scale from 1-10. Each year the survey results are then compared to benchmarked statistics from approximately 18 other New Zealand councils, offering valuable insights. The benchmarking statistics for July 2024 – June 2025 are expected to be received in late September.
Baines kicked off the presentation on a very positive note, as the overall MDC satisfaction rate is sitting at 70%. An exciting 3% increase from last year's results, and 13% higher than last year's benchmark. Some of our consistently high voters this year are in the over 65s age bracket, sitting at around 83%. Followed closely by our Gen-Zs and younger Millennials, the 18-34 age bracket sitting around 68%.
Gender demographics have a small and similar trend this year, with both male and female sitting at 70% for overall satisfaction rates. Location demographics have Feilding sitting just under 80%, whereas rural and villages are sitting at 60%. MDC’s reputation has not shifted this year, sitting around the 70% mark – matching last year's results which were 10% higher than the benchmark. It is a similar result for the value for money question, which remains the same result as last year at around 43% – also matching the benchmark.
So, what now? The results guide planning, investment and staff focus. Baines presented the key management actions defined by the results so far, continuing our efforts to improve and maintaining thorough communication with our residents. “This survey is valuable because it highlights both the strengths and areas for improvement. Resident feedback is vital for making progress, and we look forward to receiving the benchmark report” Baines said.
Once available, the results will be compared to benchmark figures, providing MDC and residents with a clear understanding of our performance. The benchmarking report will be available on the MDC website in due course.