Working in Partnership: Evaluation and the Whanau development project

The Whanau Development Project (WDP) is a three-year initiative of the New Zealand Government that gives effect to its “Reducing Inequalities” and “Capacity Building” policies for Maori. The WDP, and its participatory-focused evaluation, put into effect a Ministry of Social Development (MSD) partnership approach to engaging Maori communities and improving social service delivery generally. Twelve initiatives in six regions have been set up through local Maori decision-making and based on local aspirations and priorities for whanau. They range from whanau-based organic food gardens to skill development, youth support and mentoring programs. Each community has identified WDP goals based on their particular focus for whanau development. In parallel, the government has two high level goals for the WDP. MSD has contracted out the evaluation but is working collaboratively with the evaluators, PHP Consulting Ltd. The control of the evaluation is being shared, satisfying the two key stakeholder interests (individual communities and government) in providing information about progress towards both sets of goals. Prior to local level evaluation plans being agreed, two-day training sessions were provided within the six regions to introduce evaluation concepts, to clarify government and community expectations about evaluation of the WDP, and to build capacity and encourage participation in evaluation at the local level. This presentation will look at how evaluation can support community and stakeholder participation in decision-making. 1 Maori – extended family.