Strong sense of community
Our general sense of wellbeing and quality of life often depends on having caring and supportive networks. Good relationships between people in the neighbourhood build a sense of belonging in the community and promote social cohesion.
What this means for our district:
- People have a strong sense of belonging and are actively involved in the life of Ōtautahi Christchurch.
- Communities are supported to undertake initiatives that make their local area a better place to live and visit.
- Vibrant and resilient community and volunteer groups provide support, encourage participation and mobilise resources.
- People have strong social networks and someone to turn to in time of need.
- Appropriate services are available within local communities.
How are we doing:
Key indicator results |
Status |
Sense of community
In 2022, 68% of survey respondents agreed that it was important to feel a sense of community in their neighbourhood, although only 48% agreed that they did feel a sense of community. This is the lowest proportion experiencing a sense of community in the 20-year time series, which has averaged 53% over this period. Christchurch results are similar to the other larger cities (also averaging 48% in 2022). |
Mixed Result

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Sense of belonging
73% of Christchurch respondents felt a sense of belonging to the wider Canterbury region. This was the same as the national average, where 73% of respondents felt a sense of belonging to their local region, and within 2% of Wellington and Auckland residents. In terms of feeling a sense of belonging to New Zealand, this was higher at 85% for Christchurch respondents. However, the national average for feeling a sense of belonging to New Zealand was 89%. |
Snapshot

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Volunteering or unpaid work outside of home
The number of people doing unpaid work outside of their homes in Christchurch has fallen from 102,200 to 94,000 between 2006 and 2018. The majority of this was from fewer people helping to look after sick or disabled people (-2500) or children (-6300) who do not live with them. There has been a minor (2%) increase in people doing voluntary work for organisations, groups or marae over this period. Christchurch has the second lowest participation rate (14%) out of the main centres, while Wellington and Dunedin both have the highest at 17%. |
Negative result

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Data sources: The big cities quality of life survey; Statistics New Zealand, General Social Survey 2016; Statistics New Zealand, Census of population and dwellings.
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Active participation in civic life
Cities work best when residents are actively involved in shaping the city of the future. Participation in community initiatives and wider city processes supports wellbeing.
The Council strives to give our diverse communities meaningful opportunities to have their say and contribute to decisions on issues important to them. The Council is committed to continuing to build its governance partnership with Ngāi Tahu Papatipu Rūnanga, based on mutual understanding and respect.
What this means for our district:
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- People and organisations are listened to and valued.
- Residents have opportunities to be involved in decisions that are important to them.
- Community-led decision-making complements Council decision-making.
- The Council establishes, maintains and improves opportunities for Māori to participate in decision-making.
- Māori are involved in decision-making from the beginning, in areas of mutual interest, especially in significant decisions relating to the environment, social and economic recovery.
How are we doing:
Key indicator results |
Status |
Local and central government voting
Voter turnout in Christchurch local government elections declined overall from 52% in 1992 to a low of 39% in 2016, a declining trend apparent across all city councils in New Zealand. It has fluctuated over this time, and 2010 saw a brief increase in turnout following the earthquakes, at 52%. Since 2016, turnout has increased to 44% in 2022. Voter turnout in general elections is higher and follows national trends, averaging 82% since 1999. |
Mixed Result

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Confidence in decision-making
Residents' confidence that the council makes decisions in the best interests of the city has been declining, from 58% agreeing in 2004 to 29% in 2022. This trend has also been evident for the 6 cities that have consistently participated in the Quality of Life survey (except for Auckland residents who haven't been asked this question since 2018). In 2022, 38% of Christchurch respondents did not have confidence in council decision-making. |
Negative result

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Quality of engagement with Ngāi Tahu
In 2022 and 2023, iwi and mana whenua reported being satisfied or very satisfied with the level of engagement and opportunities to contribute to decision-making in areas of mutual interest (i.e. the level of service was achieved). Council and Rūnanga engaged in environmental matters, particularly in relation to the use and protection of land and water. Mana whenua continued to support the Council through input to city regeneration projects. |
Positive result

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Data sources: Department of internal affairs, Local government electoral statistics; The big cities quality of life survey; Christchurch City Council, annual reporting.
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Safe and healthy communities
The Council has wide-ranging responsibilities for keeping our communities safe and healthy in both our built and natural environment.
Community and individual safety have many dimensions, including feeling safe from crime. Safe communities can give people a sense of belonging and being valued.
There are also many dimensions to community and individual health and wellbeing (physical, social, spiritual, mental and emotional).
Partnership and collaboration with government and community organisations are critical to supporting healthy people and communities.
Local leadership at every level and strong community networks are key elements in safe communities and they are also crucial to building community resilience.
The city needs to be well prepared for natural hazards and other shocks and stressors. Working with residents to develop planning responses that are appropriate to each community is essential for helping us prepare for future challenges.
What this means for our district:
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- Ōtautahi - Christchurch has a safe and healthy built and natural environment.
- Council services support and enable good public health.
- People feel safe in their homes, neighbourhoods and the central city.
- Community facilities and public places are safe, healthy, and welcoming.
- People have active and healthy lifestyles.
- The city is well-prepared for future challenges.
- Our resilient communities have a good understanding of the city’s natural hazard risks.
- Our resilient communities help us to respond to and recover from shocks and stressors.
How are we doing:
Key indicator results |
Status |
People feel safe in their homes, neighbourhoods and central city
Feelings of safety in Christchurch's central city after dark have fluctuated in recent years, falling from a high of 44% in 2020 to 37% in 2022. In 2022 this was slightly lower than the national average of 39%. Between 2000 and 2020 (when this question was last asked), an average of 92% of Christchurch respondents felt safe in their homes after dark, the same as the national average. 61% of people felt safe walking alone in their neighbourhood after dark in 2020 (compared with 66% in 2018); the second lowest for the main centres in 2020. |
Mixed Result

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Notifiable diseases
Campylobacteriosis is the most common notifiable disease in the Canterbury DHB area. Following a peak in 2012 of 225 cases per 100,000 people (possibly due to post-earthquake conditions), there has been a gradual decline to around 100 cases per 100,000 in 2021. Cases per 100,000 have also generally declined following the earthquakes, particularly since 2019, for Cryptosporidiosis, Giardiasis and Salmonellosis. Rates for Yersiniosis increased following the earthquakes but have consecutively fallen in the last 3 years to 21 per 100,000. |
Positive result

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Wastewater overflow events
In the year to June 2023, there were 0.16 dry weather overflows from wastewater systems per 1,000 connected properties. This is the lowest in the time series beginning in 2016, after peaking at 0.63 per 1,000 in 2017 and 2018. A wastewater overflow is when wastewater flows out from the pipes or manholes that it is usually contained within and into a stream, river or sea. |
Positive result

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Frequency of physical activity
Since 2006, the number of days per week that people do physical activity has been declining. The proportion of those who do physical activity at least 3 times per week fell from 83% to 69% in 2022. The proportion of people doing no physical activity throughout the week reached 10% in 2022. However, compared with the other large cities, Christchurch people are more active except for Dunedin (also 69% at least 3 times per week). The average number of days of physical activity per resident has declined from 4.8 days per week in 2006 to 3.8 in 2022. |
Negative result

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Experience of discrimination
In 2022, 10% of respondents to the Quality of Life survey had experienced discrimination in the past 3 months because of their ethnicity, slightly lower than the big-cities average of 11%. Discrimination based on their gender was reported by 12% of Christchurch respondents, higher than the big-cities average of 8%. Around 10% of respondents had experienced discrimination because of their age, higher than the big-cities average of 8%. Other forms of discrimination reported related to health (8%), religious beliefs (3%) and sexual orientation (4%). |
Mixed Result

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Households prepared for emergencies
Between 2018 and 2024, overall household preparedness for natural disasters and emergencies fell from 71% to 56%. Having enough food for three days and securing household items were the most common forms of preparedness, at 71% and 58% respectively in 2024. Half of all households had enough water for three days, down from 70% in 2018, while less than half of households (43%) had an up-to-date emergency plan. |
Negative result

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Data sources: The big cities quality of life survey; Canterbury District Health Board, Notifiable disease information; Christchurch City Council, Three waters unit; Christchurch City Council, General service satisfaction survey.
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Celebration of our identity through arts, culture, heritage, sport and recreation
Being able to participate in the arts, cultural or heritage activities, and/or sports and recreation is very important to individual and community wellbeing.
Our individual and collective sense of identity and belonging is enhanced by participating in and enjoying these activities, which build connections with other people and places.
The Council has a leadership role in making Ōtautahi-Christchurch a city where diversity is welcomed and celebrated. The Council is also committed to a partnership relationship with Ngāi Tahu Papatipu Rūnanga which recognises that they are mana whenua for the Ōtautahi - Christchurch district.
As mana whenua, Ngāi Tahu has the longest association with many places and resources in the district, including settlements, transport routes, gardens, urupā (burial grounds), and places of importance for mahinga kai (food and resources).
What this means for our district:
- Ōtautahi - Christchurch is an inclusive multicultural and multilingual city that honours Te Tiriti o Waitangi – a city where all people belong.
- We recognise that Ngāi Tahu Papatipu Rūnanga are mana whenua for the Ōtautahi - Christchurch district.
- We value diversity and treat all groups and cultures with respect.
- Everyone feels welcome in the city and has a place or an activity where they can be themselves.
- Our heritage is a taonga and should be collectively valued and protected, celebrated and shared.
- Sites and places of cultural significance are respected and preserved.
- Arts, cultural, sporting and recreational opportunities are available to all our communities.
How are we doing:
Key indicator results |
Status |
Communities feel safe and welcome
In 2021, 27% of respondents to the Life in Christchurch survey agreed or strongly agreed that Christchurch is a city where all communities and people feel safe and welcome, compared to 40% in 2018. Māori respondents were the least likely to agree that the city feels safe and welcoming for all communities. |
Negative result

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Participation in selected activities related to Māori culture
The 2018 Te Kupenga survey of Māori wellbeing found that participation in Māori cultural activities and practices by respondents of Māori ethnicity and/or descent was generally lower in Canterbury compared to the national average. The most common reported practice was using a Māori greeting, at 82% (90% nationally), followed by discussing or exploring whakapapa (55%, compared to 60% nationally). Around half of respondents had sung or performed a Māori song, haka or mihi and/or had worn Māori jewellery. |
Snapshot

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Te reo Māori speakers
Around 7,800 people in Christchurch could have a conversation about a lot of everyday things in te reo Māori in 2018. This equated to 2.1% of the city's population, which was lower than the national average of 4%. Nationally and locally, the number of te reo speakers fell between 2001 and 2013. Since 2013, the number of speakers increased by 1,900 (32%) in Christchurch and 37,600 (25%) nationally. The 2018 Te Kupenga survey found that lower proportions of Māori in Canterbury could read, write, speak or understand te reo Māori than Māori nationwide. |
Mixed Result

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Ability to express identity
In 2022, 66% of Christchurch respondents reported it was easy or very easy to be themselves in New Zealand. This fell from 79% in 2018 and 2019. Neighbouring Selwyn and Waimakariri districts also experienced a similar decrease over the same period, although generally have a slightly higher proportion (than Christchurch) who reported it was easy or very easy. |
Positive result

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Diversity of Council's collections and how they represent community diversity
Around 20% of artworks in the Christchurch Art Gallery's collection are by female artists, a consistent trend over the last 20 years. Since pre-2000, artworks by Māori artists have increased from 105 to 301 in 2020 (187%), with 42 works by artists belonging to Ngāi Tahu. Artworks by Pasifika artists have increased from 10 to 44 (340%), with around half from Samoan artists. Works by New Zealand artists make up 58% of the collection (up from 52% pre-2000), while British and European artists' works have declined from 35% to 27% over the same period. |
Mixed Result

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Perceptions of heritage and taonga
Just under half of respondents to the 2021 Life in Christchurch survey (47%) agreed that the city's heritage and taonga are accessible to all, slightly lower than in 2018 (49%). Around 40% to 42% of respondents agreed that our heritage and taonga are shared and celebrated, and include, respect and celebrate the diversity of the city. Māori and MELAA (Middle Eastern, Latin American and African) respondents were amongst the least likely to agree with these statements (although the number of non-European ethnicity respondents is relatively low). |
Negative result

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Attitudes to neighbourhood diversity
Between 80-90% of Christchurch respondents to the 2016 General Social survey would be comfortable or very comfortable having a neighbour who had a different ethnicity (87%), religion (85%), sexual preference (84%), disability (82%) or language (81%). These were all generally slightly lower than the national average. Just over half (56%) would be comfortable with a neighbour who had a mental illness, slightly higher than for all of New Zealand (53%). |
Snapshot

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Does lifestyle and cultural diversity make the city a better place?
In 2020, 66% of respondents to the Quality of Life survey thought increasing numbers of people with different lifestyles and cultures from different countries made the city a better or much better place. This has increased overall from 52% in 2004 and was similar to the 2020 national average. This question was not asked in 2022. |
Positive result

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Data sources: Christchurch City Council, Life in Christchurch survey; Statistics New Zealand, Te Kupenga 2018; Statistics New Zealand, Census of Population and Dwellings; Canterbury District Health Board, Canterbury wellbeing survey; Christchurch City Council, Christchurch Art Gallery acquisitions database; Statistics New Zealand, General Social Survey 2016; The big cities quality of life survey.
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Valuing the voices of all cultures and ages (including children)
The Council’s vision for the city is that Ōtautahi - Christchurch is a city of opportunity for all, open to new ideas, new people and new ways of doing things. We want to be an inclusive, connected city.
It is important for the Council to take an inter-generational approach to issues, prioritising the social, economic, environmental and cultural wellbeing of the community now and into the future.
What this means for our district:
- Ōtautahi - Christchurch has resilient, inclusive communities that build positive relationships, enhance understanding of human rights, and resist discrimination and racism.
- All communities have equitable access to Council services and resources, and their voices are heard and valued.
- There are tailored opportunities for diverse communities to have their say and to shape decision-making on issues they care about.
- Barriers to participation are identified and removed, especially for under-represented communities.
- Our children and young people have opportunities to be heard, and their views are valued.
- The needs of current and future generations are taken into account in city decision-making.
How are we doing:
Key indicator results |
Status |
Diversity of people standing for local governance positions
The proportion of Christchurch city councillor candidates standing for election who were women was 36% in 2022, the same as the national average (for city and district councils). The Christchurch proportion has fluctuated from over 40% in 2013 to 15% in 2019. Of the candidates seeking a community board member position in Christchurch, 38% were women in 2022. This was lower than the national average (46%) and slightly down from the previous three elections. |
Mixed Result

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Diversity of elected representation
In 2022, 31% of Christchurch's elected city councillors were women. This has increased from a low of 23% in 2013, while prior to the earthquakes over half of the council consisted of women. Nationally, the proportion of women councillors in 2022 was 37%. Women made up 43% of elected community board members in 2022, similar to the national average, but lower than in 2013 and 2016 when over half of the members were women. |
Mixed Result

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The proportion of people voting in local and general elections by age and ethnicity
City-wide, 80% of enrolled voters voted in the 2023 general election. A higher proportion of people of non-Māori descent voted (81%) compared to those of Māori descent (76%). This difference in voting patterns has averaged 5% since 2014. Voting turnout generally increases with age for both Māori and non-Māori, although younger Māori were less likely to vote than younger non-Māori. Of those enrolled aged under 25 years, 79% with Māori descent voted compared with 84% of non-Māori. |
Mixed Result

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Data sources: Department of Internal Affairs, Local government electoral statistics; Electoral Commission, General Election Results
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