West Auckland Wants More: Research Poll Shows Support for Change.
The Trusts have long been the subject of heated debate in West Auckland — are they doing enough, are they still relevant, should they even exist at all? The latest Curia Research poll, conducted in February 2025, offers fresh insights into these questions while also raising new ones about what people expect from The Trusts today.
Independent research company Curia surveyed 1,000 West Auckland residents across the Portage and Waitākere Licensing Trust areas, with results weighted to reflect the region’s population. The poll asked locals how they see The Trusts — from awareness and approval to priorities for funding and attitudes on alcohol regulation.
The results show a clear shift in recent years (I would argue that has been the work of our board) : recognition is up, approval is climbing, and West Aucklanders — particularly those in lower socio-economic communities — want The Trusts to deliver more hospitality, more funding back, and support for regulation of alcohol sales.
You can read the full report at the bottom of the page.
Awareness and Approval on the Rise
Recognition of The Trusts has lifted significantly in recent years. Back in 2023, just 71% of West Aucklanders knew who The Trusts were. Today, that figure is 81%.
Approval has risen too. Half of respondents rated The Trusts as doing a good or very good job — up 22% in just two years. Net approval now sits at +39%, with only 11% saying The Trusts are doing a poor job.
That’s a turnaround for an organisation that has struggled to connect with its community, but there’s more work to do.
**one of the distinctions I’ve tried to make at The Trusts is between our community and our customers. Sometimes the two overlap, but more often they don’t. The commercial business exists to serve our customers, while the ownership model exists to serve our community.
Who’s Backing The Trusts
The poll shows there is clear support amongst communities who feel the impact of The Trusts most directly:
Māori net approval: +45%
Pacific: +43%
Asian: +54%
Indian: +40%
European: +25%
These are the very communities in West Auckland’s lower socio-economic areas where The Trusts’ impact is most visible. By contrast, Europeans who are on average less reliant on community funding and more insulated from alcohol harm showed lower net approval.
Support also differs across other groups:
Women: +49% net approval, compared with +28% for men.
Young adults (18–29): +43% net approval, with especially strong support for local hospitality.
Middle-aged (30–44): the highest approval at +45%
Older residents (60+): at +29%.
By area: Waitākere residents were more favourable (+45%) than Portage (+28%).
Taken together, the data shows that women, younger families, and ethnically diverse communities are the strongest backers of The Trusts.
What Matters Most to People
When asked what’s most important, locals overwhelmingly put community outcomes at the top:
80% rated supporting local healthcare as important or very important.
78% said the same for schools and community projects.
70% for local sports.
By comparison, only 35% thought affordable alcohol was very important, and just 32% prioritised easy access to alcohol.
The message is clear: people value The Trusts most when they give back to the community — which is a key focus of my reform.
Caution on loosening regulation
Despite ongoing debate, most residents remain cautious about liberalising alcohol sales:
56% oppose opening up neighbourhood pubs and bars (just 35% support).
51% oppose supermarket alcohol sales, compared with 43% in favour.
This shows a level of caution around loosening of regulation, even if they want it modernised and improved.
What This Means
The Curia poll paints a picture of an organisation that is starting to turn. (which is part of the work the board this term has been focussing on) Recognition is up, approval is up, and the communities who benefit most are seeing the value in the Trusts. But it also shows that people expect more: better hospitality, stronger funding back, and better use of the community mandate.
Building a Trusts That Thrives under Any Condition
That’s exactly what my campaign for re-election is about. The Trusts must be fit for today and ready for tomorrow:
Better Hospitality – a model that delivers modern, vibrant, family-friendly venues that lift West Auckland’s social life.
More Funding Back – a Community Foundation to lock in bigger, more sustainable giveback.
Structural Reform – fixing governance and cutting waste so The Trusts can both sustain in current conditions and be competitive in an open market.
