Marlborough residents continue to rate their council positively according to the latest Resident Satisfaction Survey.
The 2026 survey found 68% of residents are satisfied with Marlborough District Council's overall performance, consistent with results from 2024 and slightly above the 2025 level. This compares with a New Zealand council average of 48%.*
Mayor Nadine Taylor said the results showed residents continued to value many of the services provided by Council.
"It’s pleasing to maintain such strong satisfaction in the current challenging climate, and a rating well above the New Zealand council average," she said.
“The twelve month period included some significant milestones for Marlborough, such as starting the construction of major new flood protection infrastructure in Spring Creek, the revamp of Picton’s London Quay and the decision to loan fund the redevelopment of Picton’s port facilities for the new ferries.”
“While we again experienced a number of storm and flood events, our extensive roading recovery work continued in the Marlborough Sounds and the Northbank. There were also changes to drinking water treatment in Blenheim, directed by Government legislation and compliance through the Water Services Authority-Taumata Arowai.”
"Despite the challenges, the survey confirms that many of our core services are highly regarded and continue to perform well."
Libraries were once again the highest-rated service, with 90% satisfaction, followed by cemeteries, sports grounds, kerbside rubbish and recycling collection, and emergency management. Strong results were also recorded for parks and reserves, swimming pools, walkways and tracks, public toilets and waste and recycling facilities.
The survey also highlighted several areas where residents would like to see improvements, particularly in infrastructure services.
Satisfaction with drinking water fell to 50%, with feedback largely focused on the Government mandated introduction of chlorination to Blenheim's supply. Roads and footpaths recorded the lowest service-group satisfaction rating at 45%, while satisfaction with stormwater drainage and flood protection also declined.
“The dominant issue raised by residents was transport infrastructure, with one-in-three comments mentioning roads, footpaths, parking, cycling or pedestrian safety. The next strongest concern was rates and spending, reflecting the pressures on households and the ongoing desire for Council to prioritise core services,” Mayor Taylor said.
“Taken together, the feedback indicates that residents want a Council focused on core infrastructure, responsive to reported problems and visibly maintaining essential local services.”
The report notes that infrastructure services have a strong influence on residents' overall perceptions of Council. The survey also found younger residents generally reported lower levels of satisfaction than older residents and were less likely to be aware of Council communications. Opportunities to improve community engagement and make it easier for residents to provide feedback were also highlighted.
"The satisfaction survey helps us understand what we're doing well and where people want to see improvement. The findings will be used by staff and councillors to help inform service delivery and future planning as we move towards public consultation on our Long Term Plan 2027-2037 in the new year," she said.
The survey was conducted by SIL Research, with 600 responses collected from residents across Marlborough, proportional to the population in eight areas: Blenheim, Blenheim Vicinity, Picton, Marlborough Sounds, Renwick, Western Wairau, Awatere and Havelock. Responses were statistically weighted to reflect gender and age group proportions in the 2023 Census. Overall results are reported with a margin of error, at a 95% confidence level.
*SIL Research National Benchmark Survey (excluding Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch and Dunedin).
Go to the Resident Satisfaction Survey webpage
