Te Pūtahitanga o Te Waipounamu: Wave 2 and 3
Project Background
Having completed the Wave 1 evaluation for Te Pūtahitanga o Te Waipounamu - the Whānau Ora commissioning agency in the South Island, it was established that there is a need to quantify the outcomes and impact of the whānau enterprise initiatives and to demonstrate the value of the impact for governance and government. The Wave 2 and 3 evaluation was driven by three research questions based around outcomes, impact and the social and economic returns on the Te Pūtahitanga o Te Waipounamu Wave 2 and 3 investment.
What we did
All 38 initiatives were evaluated by one on one interviews with whānau who had received funding. Interviews were transcribed and analysed to identify impact statements. These impact statements were categorised and sorted under the Whānau Ora Pou, creating a social value framework. One initiative, a trade training scheme, was selected as a case study to apply a cost benefit analysis to determine if the investment had a positive financial return. In partnership with the AERU at Lincoln University the potential earnings as a result of training and employment were analysed for each of the 39 whānau involved in the scheme over their working life.
Outcome
The social value framework indicated that the model has an impact across all the Whānau Ora Pou. The model demonstrated significant social value has been achieved through the commissioning. There was increased social connection for whānau, cultural capability has been built, whānau have gained employment, increased their capability and skill on the land and gained skills for self-management. These outcomes are considerable given that these initiatives have only been operating for a year.
The social return on investment analysis demonstrated that the apprenticeship scheme has the potential to return a cost benefit ratio of 1:7, potentially returning 7 dollars for every dollar invested. The evidence indicates that the potential return on the employment outcomes of one initiative, exceeded the entire investment from Te Pūtahitanga o Te Waipounamu for all 38 initiatives.
Find out how we can help you
We’ll work with you to find out what’s working, where investment could be put to best use or how to improve anything not going to plan. We can help you define success and set tangible, measurable goals. And we talk in real language so you can understand and engage with the findings. We engage with the community to conduct community research and consultations for private companies, trusts, government agencies, NGOs and more. But we have a special interest in research that has a purpose - to better society and teach lessons. We aim to help those we work with build capacity to enact positive change.
