QTS-127 · Community report · 2026
Community Survey 2026
Report by Shaping Our Future Charitable Trust, dated August 2026, on an independent district-wide community survey run in early 2026 across Queenstown Lakes and Upper Clutha. There were 385 participants and 342 written responses (p3). Respondents could choose up to five concerns. The top five were transport (parking, congestion and roadworks) at 48% (184 responses), population growth 42%, cost of living 39%, town planning and urban design 38%, and wastewater treatment 33%. Public and active transport and ride sharing were selected by 19% (74 responses) (pp5, 7). Written comments describe congestion affecting daily life, not just peak tourism periods, and concern that infrastructure has not kept pace with growth. One quote describes bus services that 'more than double' journey times (p7). The report groups concerns into transport, growth and urban design, cost of living and housing, wastewater, and health services, and finds these pressures compound one another (pp7-13). It notes that 82% of respondents were aged 40 or over and that participation was voluntary, so some groups are under-represented (p4). It compares themes with the trust's 2021 wellbeing forums (135 respondents) but cautions that the results are not statistically comparable (p14). The survey questionnaire is appended (pp17-21). The report does not mention mass rapid transit.
What the document says
Context and purpose. Shaping Our Future, an independent charitable trust, ran a district-wide community survey in early 2026 for the Queenstown Lakes and Upper Clutha community, to inform public discussion and its own 2026-2029 strategic plan (pp3, 17). The report was prepared in August 2026 (p1). There were 385 participants, and 342 people gave written responses (p3).
Method. Respondents chose up to five concerns from a list of 27 issues plus 'Other'. Percentages are the share of respondents choosing each issue and do not sum to 100% (p6, p18). Respondents were also asked one open question ('What's one thing you wish decision-makers understood about our community right now?') and demographic questions (pp17-21). The report notes that participation was voluntary and skewed towards older and already-engaged residents: 82% were aged 40 or older. It calls for continued engagement with younger people, working families, migrants, renters and seasonal workers (p4).
Findings. The top concerns (p5) were:
- Transport (parking, congestion, roadworks): 48%.
- Population growth: 42%.
- Cost of living: 39%.
- Town planning and urban design: 38%.
- Wastewater treatment: 33%.
- Development: 32%.
- Health and wellbeing services: 30%.
- Housing affordability: 25%.
- Public and active transport: 19%.
Transport, access and congestion was 'the single most selected issue', with 184 responses (48%), and public and active transport and ride sharing had 74 responses (19%) (p7). Written responses describe travel as 'more difficult, time-consuming and stressful', and congestion as affecting daily life, not just peak tourism periods. The report concludes that 'transport is not simply an infrastructure issue' but shapes daily experience, access, affordability and quality of life (p7). One quoted respondent refers to a 'huge drop in productivity' in traffic jams and a bus service that 'more than doubles their journey' (p7). Growth, development and urban design are grouped as 'the strongest systemic concern' (p8). Cost of living and housing (p9), wastewater (p10) and health services (p11) are discussed with quotes. Recurring themes include concern about how decisions are made and compounding pressures (p12). The summary finds growth is placing pressure on transport, infrastructure, housing, healthcare and affordability (p13). Themes are compared with the trust's 2021 wellbeing forums (135 respondents), with a caution that the two surveys cannot be statistically compared (p14).
Recommendations. No formal recommendations are made. The report stresses ongoing community participation and decision-making 'grounded in both technical evidence and lived community experience' (pp15-16).
Mass rapid transit: The report says nothing about mass rapid transit or offline public transport. Its transport content is limited to survey responses on congestion, parking, roadworks and public and active transport.
Key figures
- 385 survey participants; 342 written responses (p3)
- Transport (parking, congestion, roadworks): 184 responses, 48%, the most selected concern (pp5, 7)
- Public transport, active transport, ride sharing: 74 responses, 19% (pp5, 7)
- Population growth 42%; cost of living 39% (p5) / 40% (p9); town planning/urban design 38%; wastewater treatment 33% (p5)
- 82% of respondents aged 40 years or older (p4)
- 2021 Shaping Our Future survey: 135 respondents (p14)
Files
- Open Main document (PDF, 2.3 MB) Opens in a new tab.
Main document
Public copies
Publisher’s own file.
Actions recorded
Continue engaging with groups under-represented in traditional surveys: younger people, working families, migrants, renters and seasonal workers.
Not assessed · Shaping Our Future
highlights the importance of continuing to engage with groups whose voices may be less represented
Use survey results to focus Shaping Our Future's 2026-2029 strategic plan.
Not assessed · Shaping Our Future · 2026-2029
We are currently preparing our 2026-2029 strategic plan. Your answers will help us to focus our work
Study cost
A separate study cost was not requested.
Citation
Community Survey 2026 (2026).