Community survey highlights possible service gaps

November 25th, 2011
[by David Armstrong]

Survey presenters Tim Podlucky and Will Garland with Rev Peter Norman and class teacher Bruce Reid

Most Motuekans believe they are part of a caring and safe community, but have suggestions for ways it can be approved, according to a recent survey by the high school Year 10 Community Issues class.

About 280 residents were interviewed in High Street early this month and another 50 people seen by members of the Uniting Church filled in the survey forms.

This was the first step in a Community Needs project, an initiative of the Motueka Uniting Church parish under the guidance of the minister, Peter Norman, who guided the formulation of the questionnaire. (See our earlier story here)

The results of the survey were presented to community leaders yesterday by Will Garland and Tim Podlucky on behalf of their Year 10 classmates.

While the survey results threw up some interesting points, including the desire for an indoor pool, it was the class discussion that followed which pointed the way to further thought and planning, particularly about community facilities for youth.

Basic questions included "Would you describe Motueka as a caring community?" (82% agreed), and a safe community (71% said yes). Most said they know their neighbours well enough to help out in need and speak to regularly, but more than half said they didn't belong to any voluntary groups.

In an open-ended question (that is, not a selection from provided options), most said they liked Motueka for the people who live here, followed by the environment and the services available. (Only one-third mentioned the climate!)

Asked how well various sections of society are looked after, top of the positive side of the ledger were children, the elderly and special needs, with the main negatives (more 'no' than 'yes') being unemployed, disadvantaged families, new migrants and young people.

It was the responses to two other questions which aroused interest: a selection of five facilities or services that people would like to see improved, and an open-ended question on "one thing would you change to make Motueka a better community to live in?". On the latter question, the top answers in order were: an indoor pool, a heavy-traffic bypass, improved shopping such as a mall, and more employment.

And of the preferred improvements, top of the list were jobs, youth venues, affordable housing, parks and reserves, cycle and walkways, footpaths and roads, and protection of the environment.

Following the presentation, the adults present discussed with the class members how young people viewed the facilities for youth, and the extent to which the Recreation Centre satisfied what youth wanted. Surprisingly, only a couple of the class said they used the centre for recreation, and several said they would prefer to hang out in a less formal environment which could cater for casual, non-team sporting activities and playing music. They agreed it was possible that the "vote" for an indoor pool would dovetail with a desire for a complementary youth centre.

Peter Norman said it was pleasing to note the vast majority of respondents believe we live in a safe and caring community. "However the survey also revealed that there are some concerns about the lack of certain facilities and inadequate provision for some groups in our community.

"Although there is much more to be gleaned from the results, an initial analysis reveals those surveyed are most concerned about a lack of facilities for youth, unemployment, disadvantaged families, parks, cycle and walkways, footpaths, roads and the need for a bypass."

He said once all the research data has been analysed, the Uniting Church working party will make recommendations and talk with Shane Graham, and advisor at the Department of Internal Affairs based in Nelson, as well as two other Motueka community leaders. Shane has previously indicated that funds will be available for projects that have proven support and benefits.

Peter hopes that those who have assisted in this survey will also take part in the setting of project goals and help determine how these goals can be met.

Along with others at the high school presentation, Peter praised the hard work of the students. Motueka Online has reported on these class presentations for the past two years and believes that this class was probably the one most dedicated to the task. The students respectfully listened to the presentation and several took part in the subsequent discussions, with mature considered opinions.

In particular, it is our opinion that Will Garland's talk providing the results was an outstanding effort, with clear speech and an easy, mature choice of words. This lad will surely be a future leader of this or some other community.

Also to be noted was that this was the final Community Issues class to be held by retiring teacher Bruce Reid. He - and community leaders - hope that another teacher will put their hand up to continue the good work. The class may well be unique in New Zealand.

Bruce told Motueka Online that "it certainly helps get the students motivated when they know that the community actually cares about the results of our surveys. I hope that Community Issues will continue to flourish into the future as it is 'real' Social Studies. We originally named it 'Social Studies with boots on'.

Click here to view the survey questions »
Click here to view the survey results »

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