We asked for your feedback on your communities and neighbourhoods. More than 5,400 of you gave us feedback in 2024, here is a summary of what you told us.

2024 results

Important Neighbourhood Attributes

Residents believe on average that 11 things are important when considering where they want to live.

79% of respondents believe safety is the most important feature when considering where they want to live, but only 46% believe safety is present in their neighbourhoods.

Other important attributes include: a quiet neighbourhood, the character of the neighbourhood, access to public transport and street trees and gardens.

The best and what can be improved

Proximity to amenities and areas respondents appreciate is overall respondents’ favourite thing about their neighbourhood.

If there was anything they would change, it would be improving traffic/roading/ driving concerns or safety from crime.

Dangerous driving, theft and burglary and traffic congestion are the top 3 challenges neighbourhoods feel they are facing.

 

What you told us:

"It is a pleasant neighbourhood which is close to all the facilities and services that we require."

"I would like less crime (car break-ins etc)."

"A road close by can be quite dangerous; the more houses being built obviously lead to more cars being on the road (driving and parking). There are concerns also about the quality of the road and water pipes - hence the sink hole we were all dealing with for years. "

Sense of Community

There are varying degrees of sense of community in neighbourhoods. 

On the one hand,

  • 84% agree that their local neighbourhood is a great place to live;
  • 89% have at least occasional positive interactions with others who live in their local neighbourhood; and
  • 74% feel safe and welcome in their neighbourhood. 

On the other,

  • 37% agree that they live in close knit neighbourhood or that residents in their neighbourhood work together to address issues affecting their neighbourhood. 

 

This variation is also clear through when reading examples provided about sense of community in neighbourhoods. 

What you told us:

“Our neighbourhood has a Facebook group for residents, which is helpful to connect with each other.”

“Typically, I greet but do not know their names.”

“I can tell there is a sense of community but I personally have not engaged a lot with it.”

“Generally speaking there is no sense of community. Everyone is busy and lives behind a fence minding his own business.”

Adaptation

In Christchurch, concerns around a changing climate and the impact it may have on respondents, their local neighbourhood and community varies quite significantly across the different wards in Christchurch. This is likely due to the topography of Christchurch.

For example, respondents from the wards of Coastal, Heathcote, Banks Peninsula, Burwood, and Linwood are more likely to think they are more likely to be impacted by events such as coastal flooding and erosion, rising groundwater, river and rainfall flooding, drought and extreme wind than other areas or neighbourhoods in the city.

As a city however, the main concerns are wind; river and rainfall flooding; and high heat, draught and wildfire.

Important Neighbourhood Attributes

Residents believe on average that 11 things are important when considering where they want to live.

79% of respondents believe safety is the most important feature when considering where they want to live, but only 46% believe safety is present in their neighbourhoods.

Other important attributes include: a quiet neighbourhood, the character of the neighbourhood, access to public transport and street trees and gardens.

The best and what can be improved

Proximity to amenities and areas respondents appreciate is overall respondents’ favourite thing about their neighbourhood.

If there was anything they would change, it would be improving traffic/roading/ driving concerns or safety from crime.

Dangerous driving, theft and burglary and traffic congestion are the top 3 challenges neighbourhoods feel they are facing.

 

What you told us:

"It is a pleasant neighbourhood which is close to all the facilities and services that we require."

"I would like less crime (car break-ins etc)."

"A road close by can be quite dangerous; the more houses being built obviously lead to more cars being on the road (driving and parking). There are concerns also about the quality of the road and water pipes - hence the sink hole we were all dealing with for years. "

Sense of Community

There are varying degrees of sense of community in neighbourhoods. 

On the one hand,

  • 84% agree that their local neighbourhood is a great place to live;
  • 89% have at least occasional positive interactions with others who live in their local neighbourhood; and
  • 74% feel safe and welcome in their neighbourhood. 

On the other,

  • 37% agree that they live in close knit neighbourhood or that residents in their neighbourhood work together to address issues affecting their neighbourhood. 

 

This variation is also clear through when reading examples provided about sense of community in neighbourhoods. 

What you told us:

“Our neighbourhood has a Facebook group for residents, which is helpful to connect with each other.”

“Typically, I greet but do not know their names.”

“I can tell there is a sense of community but I personally have not engaged a lot with it.”

“Generally speaking there is no sense of community. Everyone is busy and lives behind a fence minding his own business.”

Adaptation

In Christchurch, concerns around a changing climate and the impact it may have on respondents, their local neighbourhood and community varies quite significantly across the different wards in Christchurch. This is likely due to the topography of Christchurch.

For example, respondents from the wards of Coastal, Heathcote, Banks Peninsula, Burwood, and Linwood are more likely to think they are more likely to be impacted by events such as coastal flooding and erosion, rising groundwater, river and rainfall flooding, drought and extreme wind than other areas or neighbourhoods in the city.

As a city however, the main concerns are wind; river and rainfall flooding; and high heat, draught and wildfire.

More information about the results can be found in the full summary of the results report [PDF, 943 KB].

Past results

2020 Results

Around 3200 responded to the survey in 2020. The majority of respondents think it is important to feel a sense of community with their neighbours; however fewer actually feel that sense of community or attend community events. Nearly all feel safe walking in their neighbourhood during the day, however this decreases to just over half at night. Discrimination also remains an issue in the community.

Other topics covered include aspects of well-being and governance.

More information about the results can be found in the full summary of the results report(external link) [PDF, 324 KB].

2019 results

Around 3700 people responded to the survey in 2019. Overall, the results are very positive, indicating that Christchurch residents take pride in their neighbourhoods and will support their neighbourhood and community when they see a need.

However, there is still some work to be done in regards to discrimination, safety at night and community leadership.

View the report of summary results [PDF, 183 KB].

2017 results

Around 2500 people responded to the survey.

Although there are still some areas where improvements are required, overall people enjoy their neighbourhood and community.

The main issues identified by respondents include the range of affordable houses, the maintenance of neighbourhoods, crime and safety issues, and ongoing issues from the earthquakes.

View the 2017 Life in Christchurch Neighbourhoods and Communities summary report [PDF, 878 KB].