'I'm quite young and struggle to find other people my age in Tauranga. If there was more art and culture to attract young people, I would be able to relate to my community more.”

This was some of the feedback received from Tauranga's rangatahi (youth) in the last Whakahou Taketake Vital Update - Tauranga survey in 2020.

Three years later, Tauranga City Council, the Acorn Foundation, TECT and Bay Trust are inviting the community to take the survey again to help Tauranga City grow with current community needs and wellbeing in mind.

More than 5200 people contributed to the research project in 2020 and it is hoped even more people will take part in Whakahou Taketake Vital Update - Tauranga 2023.

The survey is open to all Tauranga residents, with Council working closely alongside groups such as rangatahi/youth, kaumatua/elders, Māori, Pacific Island communities, ethnic communities and newcomers, disabled people and their carers, people experiencing homelessness/housing stress and the LGBTQI+ (Rainbow) community.

A Child Wellbeing Study will also be done this year where children aged between five and 12 years old, and their parents, will be surveyed with the support of local schools and community groups that work with children.

Council's community services general manager Barbara Dempsey says it's important to hear from as many people as possible who live, learn, work and play in Tauranga because they know their communities best and how their neighbourhoods could be enhanced.

'We want you to see your yourself in your city. That means hearing from people with different backgrounds and experiences, and particularly people we don't usuallly hear from. Everyone is unique and important and deserves to live in a city that grows with their needs and wellbeing in mind.

'As our city grows, the Vital Update feedback will help ensure your ideas and aspirations are included, and your needs and wellbeing are prioritised.”

The information collected in the survey is anonymous and available for everyone to use, whether you're an interested individual or a community organisation.

As was the case in 2020, the information is published on Council's website, both in report form and as digital dashboards available by suburb and priority group.

'Council uses Vital Update to help inform our Long-term and Annual Plans, work programmes, and design thinking. We build on what you've already told us so we can prioritise improvements to what you've told us matters to you,” says Barbara.

As well as helping to make Tauranga City the best it can be, people taking the survey have the option of going in the draw to win a $500 Prezzy card and lots of other great prizes.

The Whakahou Taketake Vital Update - Tauranga research is conducted by independent research company Key Research who will ensure participants' identity is not disclosed.

Contact details are only held for the prize draw. Personal information will not be used in association with any survey responses.

Take the survey at www.tauranga.govt.nz/vitalupdate2023