Enhancements to the SMG programme

The evaluation found that there was still a demand for the SMG programme. It also identified options to widen its accessibility and improve its effectiveness. These improvements fall broadly under a) operational; and b) policy improvements.

Operational

• Broadening the entry criteria and lowering the contract level threshold to allow a larger range of organisations to qualify.
• Tailoring a complete package (assessment, remediation, and post-remediation monitoring and evaluation) for each organisation, to be provided by an assessor with industry-specific knowledge.
• Targeting assistance to the specific needs of organisations in addition to the standardised SMG process.
• Setting up coaching and mentoring arrangements for organisations to access consultants over a longer period and having them available on an on-call basis.
• Providing networking opportunities to share information.
• Improving the quality of pre-assessment briefings and assigning assessors with sector-specific knowledge of the organisation.

Policy

• Formalising board development programmes.
• Analysing SMG programme information to increase Te Puni Kōkiri’s knowledge and understanding of Māori governance.
• Reviewing the SMG programme outcomes to ensure they are measurable and align with the Māori Potential outcomes.
• Brokering closer relationships with other agencies that have a vested interest in building the capability and capacity of Māori organisations.

Overall, the SMG programme has been instrumental in assisting organisations to achieve positive outcomes. There was unanimous agreement among evaluation participants that the SMG programme (or something similar) should continue and that greater value could be realised if the recommended improvements are made to the programme.