Tasman residents have given Tasman District Council a strong overall satisfaction score, but concerns about rates, value for money and trust remain key challenges.
The council's 2026 residents' survey found 66% of respondents were satisfied or very satisfied with the council's overall performance, while 75% were satisfied with the quality of services and facilities provided.
The survey, which received responses from 416 residents, was conducted differently this year. Rather than gathering feedback during a single period, data was collected across all four quarters of the year.
Council says this approach helped reduce the influence of any single high-profile issue or decision and provided a more representative picture of residents' views across the year. The survey achieved what researchers described as an "excellent representation of the population profile of the district by age, gender, ethnicity and geographic location".
The 66% overall satisfaction result compares with just 50% in 2025 and 71% in 2024.
Satisfaction was highest among residents aged 65 and over at 72%. By comparison, 65% of residents aged 18-39 and 63% of those aged 40-64 were satisfied with council performance.
By ward, Golden Bay recorded the highest level of satisfaction at 73%, while Lakes-Murchison recorded the lowest at 52%.
Residents who had lived in the district for six to 10 years were the most satisfied at 73%, compared with 64% among those who had lived in the district for more than 10 years.
While residents generally rated services positively, perceptions of value for money remained low.
Just 35% were satisfied or very satisfied with the way rates are spent on services and facilities, while only 30% agreed rates are fair and reasonable.
Older residents were more likely to be satisfied with value for money, with 45% of those aged 65 and over expressing satisfaction compared with 27% of those aged 18-39.
Overall, 65% of respondents were dissatisfied or very dissatisfied with value for money.
Comments collected through the survey reflected those concerns, with 24% mentioning wasteful spending or asking the council to focus on core services, 15% raising concerns about rates and value for money, and 14% calling for better consultation and communication.
Despite those concerns, community facilities remained a standout strength.
Libraries achieved a satisfaction rating of 98% from those who use them, community buildings 95%, recreational facilities 94%, public halls and community buildings 96%, aquatic centres 85% and public toilets 80%.
Community facilities recorded the highest overall service satisfaction at 90%.
Water management achieved 79% satisfaction, waste management and environmental management both recorded 75%, while roading infrastructure was the lowest-rated service area at 56%.
Satisfaction with roads has improved steadily over the past two years, rising from 45% in 2024 and 54% in 2025 to 63% this year. However, it remains below the council's 70% target.
Satisfaction with footpaths increased to 75%, while cycle paths rose to 70%.
Perceptions of safety produced mixed results. Safety while walking was rated positively by 76% of respondents, while safety while driving was 69%, down from 81% in 2025. Safety while cycling was 66%, up significantly from 44% in 2025.
Kerbside recycling remained one of the council's strongest-performing services, with 95% satisfaction. Satisfaction with prepaid rubbish bags rose to 76%, up from 65% last year.
Residents also reported improved views of council engagement and communications.
Overall satisfaction with engagement and communications reached 66%, compared with 44% in 2025 and 53% in 2024.
About 68% agreed the council provides opportunities for residents to be involved in consultation and decision-making, while 76% said the information they receive from the council is sufficient.
Over two thirds of respondents rated the leadership of the mayor and councillors as good or very good, but just 44% of residents rated trust in the council as high or very high. Trust was strongest among residents aged 65 and over at 54%, compared with 36% among those aged 40-64.
Overall reputation was rated good or very good by 54% of residents, but the council's reputation benchmark score of 52 remained below the accepted benchmark range of 60-79.
More than 90% of residents rated their quality of life as good or very good, while 84% said they were proud to live in Tasman District. However, only 61% agreed the district is heading in the right direction.
Individual comments from respondents were mixed.
"I find the Tasman District Council do a great job of looking after our community with all its diversity. We live in a great community we have a great community spirit. Thank you,” one said.
"It's not easy. Trying to please all the people all of the time never is. So the work and concern is appreciated most of the time," another wrote when discussing value for money.
One resident described the cost of rates as "criminal".
