Residents invited to give feedback on customer service experience

Buller District Council is launching its 2023 Customer Satisfaction Survey this week, seeking feedback on residents’ customer service experience.

The survey is carried out every two years with the aim of gaining insight into people’s experience of council services and helping identify opportunities for change or improvement.

The Customer Satisfaction Survey is targeted at Buller residents and visitors who have interacted with council in the past 12 months. This covers all council services, ranging from making an inquiry with the Westport or Reefton service centres, using a library, making a payment, attending a movie or show, to applying for a consent or dealing with compliance teams.

Acting Chief Executive Rachel Townrow says: "It’s important that people take this opportunity to share their thoughts on how their experiences with council have gone. That’s the best way to help bring about change and improvements if needed.

“Sometimes people feel there's no point to filling out a survey, that no-one listens, but that couldn't be further from the truth. For example, the Customer Satisfaction Survey in 2021 showed us that people wanted a better council website and the ability to pay online – we have done that. Late last year we re-launched our website with a new look, updated information, and more online payment options. We recognise it had some early teething issues as sometimes happens with technology, but we’ve listened to feedback on that too and tweaked it as required.

“We want to know how we can do things better, whether that's communication, ways of engaging with council, or in-person interactions. Similarly, if you are happy with the way we are currently doing something that is useful feedback too, so we know to keep it up.”

How to do the survey

The 2023 survey is live on the council website (bullerdc.govt.nz) from 1 – 31 March 2023.

Survey forms are available to pick up (and drop off) at Council facilities in Westport and Reefton, as well as the Sue Thomson Casey Memorial Library in Westport, NBS Theatre, the DOC visitor centre in Punakaiki, the Karamea Information Centre, and the Northern Buller Resource Centre.

Residents who take part go into the draw for four grocery vouchers valued at $50 each. The vouchers have been donated by Fresh Choice and New World Westport.

-ENDS-

For more information, please contact
Acting Chief Executive
Rachel Townrow
Rachel.Townrow@bdc.govt.nz