Country's view of River City improves

The results of the latest National Perceptions of Wanganui Research Report show the rest of the country's view of the River City improving in critical areas including education options, affordable housing, healthcare and leisure.
The perceptions report was presented to the Wanganui District Council's strategy and finance committee this week.
In the report, 34 per cent of respondents said there were quality education options in Wanganui, up on 29 per cent surveyed in 2009.
Sixty per cent agreed that house prices were affordable, up from 50 per cent, while 26 per cent agreed that quality health care was easy to access, up from 17 per cent in 2009.
The number of people agreeing with the statement that Wanganui was free from traffic congestion also went up, from 48 per cent in 2009 to 57 per cent.
However, a statement that Wanganui had a low level of crime was agreed with by only 6 per cent of respondents in the national perceptions survey, slightly down from 7 per cent in 2009.
The report also compared the national perception grades with those from the current Wanganui Community Outcomes Survey, which gauged the views of Wanganui residents across many of the same categories.
In most cases, the community outcomes survey ratings were higher.
The national perceptions report also asked respondents to identify what images, features or personalities came to mind when they thought of Wanganui.
The most common response was Michael Laws, who was mentioned by 36 per cent of respondents, up from 34 per cent in 2009. The next-most-common features behind Mr Laws were Whanganui River/National Park and gangs.
Wanganui Mayor Annette Main said she was concerned the survey results showed people still thought Wanganui had problems with crime.
"It is hard to dispel such perceptions, as to try to do this results in highlighting the issue once again."
The Chronicle asked Ms Main if she was surprised Mr Laws featured prominently, to which she replied: "No, given his other job as a national talk-back host."
Mr Laws told the Chronicle he was surprised the council did not make more use of his prominence.
"I have the only national radio show and the only nationally-syndicated newspaper column of any Wanganui resident ... and I would have thought with the ability to talk to the whole country, this council would use that profile and experience."
When asked for her response to Mr Laws' claims, and whether he had discussed this with her, Ms Main said the issue had not been raised with her.
"He has not discussed this with me. I agree that this could provide us with the opportunity to profile Wanganui positively. That opportunity has also been there for the previous six years."
Ms Main said the results were useful for the council to work on ways to increase peoples' knowledge of life in Wanganui.
"They [surveys] help us target this work towards areas where people seem lacking in knowledge."
Ms Main said the surveys were carried out two-yearly, and only by running them regularly could the council work out what had changed and why.
Whanganui Maori Regional Tourism chairman Kemp Dryden was pleased with the Whanganui River's high ranking in the images, features or personalities section of the survey.
"This perception highlights the Whanganui River's strength. It is a living river that weaves people together. The river has always been an integral and strategic part of Maori and European history.
"It is a key focal point for those who came here to live and for those who want to visit. The river is one of the key icons around the MRI regional tourism strategy, Te Kahui Tupua, that includes the Whanganui National Park and Mt Ruapehu and the Tongariro National Park."
Wanganui Chamber of Commerce president Jenny Duncan was hopeful of Wanganui receiving more positive recognition in the future.
"Wanganui is a wonderful place, and I hope it becomes known for its more positive aspects. I think it's wonderful Wanganui is known for the river, but really, it's time we got stuck in and promoted our positive qualities to the nation."