Tenant Survey
2026
The annual Tenant Survey is one of the most important ways ŌCHT hears directly from tenants.
We know we won’t always get everything right — and we want to get better. That’s why each year we run one of the largest tenant surveys of its kind for any landlord in New Zealand. It’s a big piece of work, but it gives us a clear, honest picture of how we’re doing and where we need to lift.
The 2026 Tenant Survey starts April 7 and closes 9pm May 17.
Here’s how you can have your say!
Online: If we have your email, survey company Purple Ink will send you a personal link to complete the survey online. If we don’t have your email, you’ll get a letter with the link to the online survey and a paper copy of the survey, from April 13.
On paper: Paper copies of the survey will be sent to everyone who has not completed the survey online from April 13. They need to be completed and returned using the prepaid envelope to be received by Purple Ink by 9pm May 17.
With support: our digital coaches will visit community lounges over April and May to help people use the online survey, or to help with the paper copy. See where they’ll be, and when, here.
You can also call us on 0800 624 456 and we’ll help over the phone.
There’s a thank you, too!
Every household that completes the survey will receive a $20 Pak ’n Save voucher.
If you complete it online, you’ll also go in the draw to win one of five $100 Prezzie Cards, provided by Purple Ink NZ!
Getting help: survey drop in sessions in community lounges
Our digital coaches will visit community lounges over April and May, to help people with the online and paper surveys.
The sessions are open to all ŌCHT tenants - you don’t need to live in the community the coaches are visiting!
ŌCHT digital coach Cam and the team are in these community lounges from 12pm to 2pm:
Apr 7: Forfar
Apr 8: Concord
Apr 9: Maurice Carter
Apr 10: Aorangi
Apr 13: Resolution
Apr 14: Biddick
Apr 15: Jura
Apr 16: Bryndwr
Apr 20: Fletcher
Apr 21: Clent
Apr 22: Hornby
Apr 23: Harman
Apr 28: Mabel Howard
Apr 29: Fred Price
Apr 30: H.P. Smith
May 1: Aberfoyle
May 4: Resolution
May 5: Biddick
May 6: Jecks
May 7: Maurice Carter
May 11: Vincent
May 13: Jura
May 14: Bryndwr
May 15: Manse
It’s a once-a-year check-in with every household to understand how our services are performing, what’s working well and where we need to improve, and what it’s like to live in an ŌCHT home and community.
What is the Tenant Survey
Because the only way to improve is to listen.
The survey gives us a read on where things are working and where they’re falling short. It helps us focus our efforts, test whether changes are making a difference, and make better decisions for the communities we serve.
Why we do it
The survey runs each year, usually through April and May, and is open to every tenant household.
You can take part in a way that suits you — online, on paper, or with support from our team in community spaces.
Independent research provider Purple Ink runs the survey and analyses the results, so responses are handled confidentially and consistently.
How it works
The questions focus on elements of our service that matter most day to day, such as the condition, warmth and upkeep of your home; how maintenance is delivered; how your tenancy is managed and the support available to you; how we communicate and respond; and how safe and settled you feel in your community.
This gives us a practical picture of how our services are landing where it counts.
What it covers
Survey feedback has shaped real changes over time. Feedback informed how we reshaped our specialist, responsive tenancy management model to better support tenants, and how we manage our maintenance programme and contracted services.
It’s also led to the establishment of our Tenant Insights Groups, where we work directly with tenants to get detailed feedback on specific areas of our work (including how we conduct the survey!). It’s all showing us where progress is being made and where we need to improve.
What it’s led to
The 2026 survey will be conducted by Purple Ink NZ, an independent New Zealand research company.
Purple Ink specialises in community‑focused surveys and has worked with councils, transport organisations, and community groups across the country.
The survey will be run by their Christchurch based team who are skilled in gathering honest, high‑quality feedback in a safe and respectful way, which means your voice will be heard clearly and confidentially.
Their work with ŌCHT also includes monthly satisfaction check-ins and working with the Tenant Insight Groups. It’s all part of helping us build a complete picture of wellbeing and satisfaction.
Our 2026 research partner
Tenant Survey 2026 news updates
