Research & Monitoring Reports

The Council undertakes or commissions a range of surveys and other research projects.

The results of each of these contribute to various aspects of Council policy-making, including the Council's Long Term Plans and the District Plan.

Occasional papers

These papers are developed by the Policy and Strategy Team to provide in-depth analysis of official data provided by Statistics New Zealand including census data and the Council’s own databases developed from recent surveys. The papers contain key statistical information and analysis across a broad range of topics and will be developed as required.

Addressing the implications of an ageing population

Addressing the implications of an ageing population: a discussion document (pdf, 389.4 KB) is designed to initiate a series of community conversations to provide an overall understanding of the opportunities and challenges associated with an ageing population.  The document takes a whole of community approach as having an increasing number of older people in the community will impact on everyone.

District profile 2013

Key statistical information about the Waimakariri District and its people. The District profile 2013 (pdf, 464.2 KB) draws its information from Statistics New Zealand, and the Council’s own databases.

Post earthquake community surveys

The Council has sought to gain greater understanding of the people moving into and around the Waimakariri District since the earthquakes and since January 2012 has conducted two surveys. The Change of Address Survey covered the period 1 January 2012 to 30 April 2013, while the New Dwellings Survey which is on going focuses attention on the households moving dwellings completed since 1 March 2013.

Change of address survey 2012-2013

The Change of address survey report (pdf, 1.1 MB) analyses the responses from 760 households that changed address within the Waimakariri District with an emphasis on the experiences of people who moved away from area's zoned 'red' in Christchurch City and the Waimakariri District. An interim report of this survey was released in May 2013 for the period January - August 2013 and final report of the Change of  Address Survey pays attention to the differences between the households that moved into the district during the first and eight months of the survey.

New dwelling survey 2013-2014

The New dwelling survey (pdf, 1.9 MB) follows on from the Change of address survey, and provides information about the people moving into new dwellings in the district since the March 2013 Census. The report of this survey also captures the experiences of people who have moved away from 'red zones', including those who have spent time in temporary accommodation waiting for their new homes to be completed. Both surveys pay attention to the age distribution for members of respondent households, the levels of workplace participation and involvement with community groups

Pre and post earthquake spending analyses

Analyses for the district's two main towns, Rangiora and Kaiapoi, to determine the changes in spending behaviour at retail merchants over the past three years, providing an insight into the effects of the September 2010 and February 2011 earthquakes and aftershocks.

Council customer satisfaction surveys

The Waimakariri District Council Customer Satisfaction Surveys report what the Districts’ residents think about the services and facilities the Council provides for them and other relevant Council activities.

The most recent survey was conducted in November / December 2016. It is the sixth in a series of three yearly customer satisfaction surveys to be conducted by the Council. The findings of the survey can be found in the links below. The Key Findings document contains all analysis on every topic, however, if you are only interested in a certain topic, then you can click on the subject below to take you directly to the analysis of the findings on that topic.

The findings of previous surveys are also available:

Economic and business profiles for Rangiora, Kaiapoi, Woodend/Pegasus and Oxford

The following economic and business profiles for key Waimakariri District towns of Rangiora, Kaiapoi, Woodend/Pegasus and Oxford provide an overview of available statistical information relevant to business development and the economic environment, in order to inform business and investment decisions.

These documents form a package of relevant business and economic information alongside the Waimakariri business attraction brochure (pdf, 2.5 MB) and the latest Infometrics quarterly economic monitor (pdf, 290.7 KB) for Waimakariri District.

Oxford area community survey

The Oxford area community survey (pdf, 9.9 MB) was undertaken to obtain feedback from Oxford residents concerning their views about various aspects of their life in Oxford and to contribute to the Oxford Town Centre Development Strategy, the revision of planning controls in the District Plan and the Council's service provision.

Pegasus community issues survey

The Pegasus community issues survey (pdf, 1.2 MB) was undertaken to obtain feedback from residents of Pegasus concerning their views about various aspects of their life at Pegasus and to contribute to the Council's long-term Woodend Pegasus Development Strategy.

Residential 2 survey report

The Residential 2 survey (pdf, 2.5 MB) was undertaken to obtain feedback from residents concerning their views about features of the design of their respective subdivisions to assess the effectiveness of the Residential 2 District Plan standards in maintaining the amenity values of these new subdivisions. Respondents to this survey came from The Oaks, Moorcroft, Oxford Park and East Rangiora subdivisions.

Mandeville/Ohoka community issues survey report

The Mandeville/Ohoka community issues survey (pdf, 2.7 MB) was conducted primarily to test community opinion with respect to the establishment of a commercial centre at Mandeville, and if one was to be established what it should be like. It also captured a range of other information about the people living in the area, their reasons for choosing to live in the area, their recreational activity, employment and shopping patterns. Additionally this survey reports respondents’ views about the things they would like to see changed in their area and the things they would not like to see changed.

Woodend community issues survey report

The Woodend community issues survey (pdf, 1.1 MB) was prompted by a desire for initial community input into a Woodend town centre strategy, scheduled to be developed in the 2011/12 financial year. This survey also sought community views about a range of other issues including respondents' 'likes', 'dislikes' and changes 'wanted' and 'not wanted', recreation issues and shopping patterns.

Community surveys

The 2015 Community Survey explores the attitudes of Waimakariri District residents about aspects of their community and environment. Undertaking this survey helps Council to meet its obligations under the Resource Management Act 1991 to undertake state of the environment reporting. The responses also contribute to knowledge of community priorities and residents’ views of topical issues. 

Previous community surveys:

Local Alcohol Policy research report

The Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act 2012 empowered territorial authorities to develop local alcohol policies, which licensing decision-makers are required to consider. The Local Alcohol Policy research report (pdf, 122.4 KB) identifies key trends in relation to alcohol in the Waimakariri District and informed the development of the Council’s Local Alcohol Policy.

Waimakariri business surveys

A series of Business Survey reports by geographic location discussing findings from questionnaires directed to all businesses that have a physical address in the Waimakariri District administered in 2010, as well as findings from a number of follow-up business surveys in Rangiora town centre administered in 2011 and 2012.

Community street reviews

The Council has undertaken a number of Community Street Reviews of central business areas within the District in order to assess the current environment for walking, and to suggest possible solutions to improve access on foot. Community Street Reviews are assessments of the walkability of a route from the point of view of users and collect data on safety, functionality of the pedestrian space, ease of road crossings, effects of urban design and other walkability factors.

Progress towards community outcomes report 2009

The Progress towards community outcomes report (pdf, 8.0 MB) focuses on the contributions that are being made towards achieving community outcomes by all parties, not just the activities of the Council.

Waimakariri irrigation scheme 2008

The Waimakariri irrigation scheme monitoring report (pdf, 1.3 MB) on the impacts on the District of the introduction of irrigation on the upper Waimakariri-Ashley Plain in 1999/2000.

Residential 4 (rural residential) zone survey report 2006

The Residential 4 (rural residential) zone survey (pdf, 933.4 KB) was conducted to find out what is prompting people to choose to live in one of the district’s Residential 4 zones.

Small-holding owners survey report 2006

The Small-holding owners survey (pdf, 354.0 KB) was conducted to find out what is prompting people to live on relatively small areas of land in the district’s main Rural zone.

Social profile 2006

The Social profile 2006 (pdf, 792.8 KB) is an overview of the present social situation in the District, the changes that have occurred in recent years, and the extent of differences or similarities between the circumstances of people living in the District, the Canterbury region and New Zealand as a whole.

Waimakariri District community needs analysis 2006

A companion document to the 2006 Local Services Mapping report prepared by the Ministry of Social Development. The Community needs analysis (pdf, 467.5 KB) is designed to contribute to the Council’s monitoring programme for key Community Outcomes, particularly the statement that 'the community’s needs for health and social services are met'.

Mandeville area surveys and reports

Consultation evaluation and benchmarking reports