3. Possible Enhancements to the SMG Programme

3.1 Introduction

While the SMG programme was well received by organisations and assessors, the evaluation identified areas of possible improvement.

At a programme level, the evaluation identified enhancements to refocus the programme and provide more targeted assistance to meet the changing needs of organisations. These enhancements include:

• broadening the qualifying criteria for organisations, including the funding threshold; • offering SMG as a total development package;
• refocusing SMG with a targeted and tailored approach; • offering mentoring opportunities;
• assisting organisations with information sharing;
• improving the preparation of assessors before the assessment; and
• matching assessors more closely with organisations.

At a policy level, the evaluation identified some strategic issues that may have future implications for the SMG programme. The nature of these issues focuses on the development needs of organisations as follows:

• Formalising training programmes.
• Providing access to governance resources.
• Increasing public knowledge of Māori governance.
• Redefining the SMG programme outcomes.
• Brokering support and collaboration.