Survey shows Stratford residents happy with district but not happy about cemetery upkeep

Monday, 1 August 2022

A recent survey has revealed dissatisfaction with how Stratford’s two open cemeteries are maintained. (File photo)

There are two open cemeteries in the district of Stratford and a recent survey revealed many residents are unhappy with how they are looked after.

The annual satisfaction survey, conducted on behalf of the Stratford District Council, was sent to 3000 people in the district aged 18 or over, of which 413 responded.

With a population of just under 10,000 the survey was completed by about 5% of the district’s adults.

Coming out in the survey as a top priority were the state of the district’s open cemeteries Koputama and Midhirst.

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The public toilet at Joshua Morgan's Grave, near Whangamomona, was not a source of great satisfaction in the survey.

While 70% were satisfied or very satisfied with the cemeteries overall, three quarters of respondents said the facilities needed better maintenance.

Comments included such things as there being no water at some, rabbits digging holes at others and a lack of seats and trees for shade.

This should come as no surprise to councillors.

The issue of cemetery maintenance came up last month when councillors decided not to put any more money into maintaining Kopuatama Cemetery which residents said was a “neglected and disgusting place”.

Respondents also had a thing or two to say about the public toilets in Stratford.

Nearly 100% of respondents were satisfied with the public toilet facilities at the Percy Thomson Complex, but just 14% were satisfied with the toilets at surveyor Joshua Morgan's Grave near Whangamomona.

“I honestly don’t use any toilets aside from the Percy Thompson ones because the rest of them are too gross 99% of the time,” one respondent said.

Rural residential roads also came in for a pasting with less than half of respondents satisfied and many people taking issue with the number of potholes.

Despite the annoyances with the public toilets, roads and the cemeteries more than 70% of respondents were confident the district was going in the right direction and just under 70% were satisfied with the Stratford District Council.

Also rated highly was the quality of services and facilities with two thirds of respondents satisfied and 65% agreed the council’s decisions represented Stratford well.

Two thirds of those who answered the survey agreed that Stratford was an attractive, safe and healthy place to live.

CORRECTION: This story has been corrected. The dissatisfaction regarding maintenance of cemeteries applies to Koputama and Midhirst only. Overall 70% of people are satisfied or very satisfied with the cemeteries. Corrected at 11.30am on August 2, 2022.