2025 Wrapped-Up

You showed up, Whakaahurangi Stratford. Here’s your year, all wrapped-up in the numbers and mahi that kept us moving forward.

You were there when it mattered most

• 53.7% of eligible Stratford district voters voted in the local election, the highest percentage in Taranaki
• Highest number of people standing for council in recent history, with 4 new Elected Members sworn in to Council in October
• Consulted on the future of water services delivery as part of Central Government’s Local Water Done Well reforms, receiving 184 submissions with overwhelming community support for a stand-alone in-house model

You’re going paperless like a pro

• We received and followed up on 435 reports from you through Antenno
• 1,409 people are receiving their rates invoices by email and helping us reduce printing costs, now we just need the other 3,743 ratepayers to do the same

But there’s still nothing like a good chat

• Our Service Centre answered 12,211 phone calls so far this calendar year
• And talked to 9,159 people who came in person

You’re building something special

• 62 resource consents were issued for the calendar year to date

And the journey got a lot smoother

• Around 198km of unsealed roads got graded, we completed 26km of resealing on sealed roads, and responded to 314 landslips.

You made a splash this year

• 82,787 visitors to Wai o Rua – Stratford Aquatic Centre so far this year
• 1,880 enrolments for Wai o Rua Swim School across four school terms

And still found time for crafts and a good book

• 44,505 books issued from the Library
• 8,119 e-book, e-audio and e-magazine issues from the Library
• 272 preschoolers attended storytime and 567 tamariki came to 3:30 Club at the Library
• 94% satisfaction score for Library services from the residents’ survey

You’re passionate about getting out in nature, especially with your doggie pals

• 90% satisfaction score for parks and walkways from the residents’ survey
• 2,085 dogs registered to date in the Stratford district

And you’re going other places too!

• 99 people were helped with upskilling, support, and apprenticeships, as well as into part time and full time work through the MTFJ Workforce Programme

You don’t waste opportunities to be kind to the planet

• 283 tons of recyclable items diverted from landfill this year
• 182 tons of glass recycled
• 6 projects were awarded grants through our Waste Levy Fund
• Stratford schools saved over 135,000 milk bottle lids from landfill as part of the “Send ya lids to School” competition, with the total continuing to grow

And you know how to give kudos where it’s due

• 7 local champions were acknowledged through the Citizen Awards

Thanks for an amazing year! From all the Council staff and contractors behind the numbers, we wish you a Merry Christmas and a great year ahead.