Explore four years of local insight into how our region is doing — across communities, economy, environment and more.

Tairāwhiti Wellbeing

Tairāwhiti Wellbeing

Regional wellbeing

Four years of evidence

Four years of Tairāwhiti Wellbeing Survey (TWS) data show that people’s day-to-day lives are improving. Locals are feeling more resilient, homes are safer, perception of health is improving, and our communities are more connected. 

Despite this, confidence in the future is declining. People are feeling less optimistic about economic opportunities, job and training pathways, and whether Tairāwhiti is an attractive place for young people to live and work. Pride in the region and confidence in Māori culture and identity flourishing here have also declined.

3,897

Survey responses

4

Annual surveys

6

Muka

60+

Indicators tracked

Ngā muka

Six aspirational wellbeing outcomes

The Trust Tairāwhiti wellbeing framework, He Rangitapu He Tohu Ora, is built around six muka that represent aspirational wellbeing outcomes for Tairāwhiti.   

Woven together, these muka reflect a holistic and enduring vision for regional wellbeing. Each indicator in He Rangitapu He Tohu Ora maps to one of these outcomes. 

Improving

Our communities are feeling safer and have greater life satisfaction than at any point since the TWS began in 2022. Life satisfaction, neighbourhood safety and family wellbeing have all substantially improved.

Life satisfaction 65% → 72%

Declining

Those in work are more satisfied with their jobs, but people’s confidence in finding new work, accessing training, or building a career in Tairāwhiti has dropped significantly. Business confidence and perceptions of Tairāwhiti as a good place for young people are both declining.

Diverse employment 35% → 23%

Improving

Levels of loneliness are declining, and more people report having someone to stay with or talk to in a crisis. Trust in others remains relatively low but stable. Social connection is slowly strengthening.

Not lonely 64% → 72%

Improving

The 2023 cyclones hit environmental perceptions hard, but our community's sense of environmental health has started to recover, with native bush and coastal water confidence rising above 2022 levels. Freshwater remains the greatest concern in Tairāwhiti.

Native bush health 42% → 49%

Declining

This muka has some of the sharpest declines throughout the survey. Future expectations around familiarity with Māori culture have fallen by 14%. Pride in Tairāwhiti is down 11%. Perceptions about the importance of Māori culture has dropped 9%.

Future expectations about Māori culture 62% → 48%

Declining

Belief in training and career opportunities has fallen by more than 11%. Perceptions of digital and technology opportunities available in Tairāwhiti have dropped 7%.

Digital and technology confidence 33% → 26%

Work with us to turn insight into impact 

The Trust partners with organisations and groups committed to improving the wellbeing of our people and place. 

The Tairāwhiti Wellbeing Survey brings together four years of robust, longitudinal data. It’s weighted and broken down by age, ethnicity, location, gender, employment status and iwi – giving you a clear picture of what’s really happening across our region.  

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Government 

Design better policy with a strong local evidence base. Understand what’s changing, where, and for who. 

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Philanthropy

See where wellbeing is shifting – both the challenges and the strengths. Target investment where it will have the greatest impact. 

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Business 

Get real insight into workforce wellbeing, job satisfaction and economic confidence to inform decisions and strategy. 

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Community groups

This is your voice. The data reflects the experiences of your communities and helps shape where funding and support goes.  

Let’s talk 

We can help you understand what the data means for your work and how to use it.