Surveying the wellbeing of Cantabrians

The Canterbury Wellbeing Survey is an opportunity for residents of greater Christchurch (Christchurch City and Selwyn and Waimakariri districts) to say how they’re going.

Public input from the Survey gives the Canterbury DHB and other agencies an idea of emerging trends in community wellbeing and helps to measure the continuing impacts of the earthquakes. The survey is conducted annually.

Data from the Canterbury Wellbeing Survey is also used extensively in the Canterbury Wellbeing Index.

• Find out more about the Canterbury Wellbeing Index.

Key findings from the 2018 Canterbury Wellbeing Survey

Over 3,000 greater Christchurch residents took part in the Canterbury Wellbeing Survey in April and May 2018.

The eleventh Canterbury Wellbeing Survey of people in greater Christchurch has continued its upward trend since the 2011 earthquakes.

• Read or download the 2018 Canterbury Wellbeing Survey Report (6.11MB, 170 pages).

The overall quality of life for residents is stable and there have been improvements in emotional wellbeing and a reduction in how often residents experience stress.

Eight in ten greater Christchurch residents rate their quality of life positively, while the self-rated WHO-5 measure of emotional wellbeing is at its highest level since it was first recorded in 2013.

Levels of stress have been declining overall since September 2012, with the proportion reporting stress at least sometimes reducing from 80 percent in 2012 to 68 percent in 2018.

Hurdles to recovery remain in Greater Christchurch

Disparities are evident, with a number of groups within our community experiencing lower wellbeing as measured by several of the Survey questions. These groups include Māori, those on low incomes, and those with a disability or long-term health condition.

The Survey found that 18 to 24 year olds feel lonely or isolated significantly more than older age groups. Nearly 15 percent of 18 to 24 year olds feel lonely or isolated always or most of the time, compared with less than 3 percent of those over 65.

Past Canterbury Wellbeing Survey reports

2017 Canterbury Wellbeing Survey

• Canterbury Wellbeing Survey 2017 Report (7.62MB PDF, 197 pages)

2016 Canterbury Wellbeing Surveys

• Canterbury Wellbeing Survey September 2016 Report (7.9MB, 166 pages)
• Canterbury Wellbeing Survey April 2016 Report (7.2MB, 166 pages)

2015 Canterbury Wellbeing Surveys

• CERA Wellbeing Survey September 2015 Report (3.5Mb PDF, 174 pages)
• CERA Wellbeing Survey April 2015 Report (3Mb PDF, 179 pages)

2014 Canterbury Wellbeing Surveys

• CERA Wellbeing Survey September 2014 Report (2.4Mb PDF, 174 pages)
• CERA Wellbeing Survey April 2014 Report (2.5Mb PDF, 152 pages)

2013 Canterbury Wellbeing Surveys

• CERA Wellbeing Survey September 2013 Report (2.5Mb PDF, 143 pages)
• CERA Wellbeing Survey April 2013 Report (2.6Mb PDF, 137 pages)

2012 Canterbury Wellbeing Survey

• CERA Wellbeing Survey 2012 Report (4.2Mb PDF, 106 pages)
• CERA Wellbeing Survey 2012 Report: Summary (260Kb PDF)