Arts, Culture & Recreation

Strategy Development for the Arts

Arts and culture infrastructure, organisations and programmes operate in a complex and ever-evolving environment. 

Digital disruption, changing audience expectations, diversity imperatives and other sector trends offer opportunities as well as challenges. 

Sapere can provide credible, informed analysis of the arts industry to assist with making better strategic choices.

What we do

Sapere works with government agencies and sector bodies, providing independent analysis and advice to the arts and culture sector.

We help to develop impactful and sustainable infrastructure, organisations and programmes fostering arts, culture and creative industries.

Our services include strategy development, business case development, financial and economic analysis, programme evaluation, sector analysis and more.

Examples of our work in arts and culture

  • Program Logic Mapping for creative infrastructure projects for Create NSW
  • Research and analysis on competition-related issues in NZ’s media system, with a particular focus on the market for news and public interest journalism
  • Business case development support, cost-benefit analysis and financial analysis for major creative infrastructure proposals for Create NSW 
  • External evaluation of Co-Curious’ Stories from Another Australia writer development programme
  • Evaluation of the NZ Screen Production Grant, for the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment 
  • Economic impact and growth potential of the NZ interactive media industry, for NZ Tech.
Sapere brings impartial analysis and strategic development to create sustainable infrastructure to the vibrant world of the arts, culture, and creative industries.
A close-up of an orchestra's string section, focusing on several musicians playing violins. Their hands and instruments are prominently visible, and the background is blurred, highlighting the intense concentration and coordination among the players, showcasing a beautiful blend of arts and culture.

Key contacts
Matt Balmford
David Graham
Sally Carrick
John Wallace
William Li

Some of our recent articles of interest

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How cultural heritage can act as an engine for regional growth

In this article Dr Jamie O'Hare explains how cultural heritage drives regional tourism, economic impact, and community-led development in New Zealand.
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A woman with blonde hair in a ponytail wears a headset and light blue scrubs, suggesting she works in a Healthline customer service or medical setting. The background is blurred, focusing on her head and headset.

Estimating the value of Healthline

  • Client: Whakarongorau Aotearoa / New Zealand Telehealth
Sapere’s analysis shows Healthline delivers substantial net value by reducing pressure on higher-cost parts of New Zealand’s health system.
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Close-up of a younger person gently holding the hand of an elderly person, conveying care and support—an image that reflects compassionate governance, with both hands resting on a light-colored surface.

Can New Zealand rethink aged care to meet the needs of the future?

  • Client: Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora
New Zealand’s aged care system faces rising demand, funding gaps, and workforce shortages; urgent reform is needed to ensure sustainable, equitable, and affordable future care.
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A close-up of a stethoscope and a pen tucked into the chest pocket of a blue medical uniform, symbolizing healthcare in New Zealand and the medical profession.

Is New Zealand’s capitation formula still fit for purpose?

  • Client: Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora
Sapere’s modelling for Te Whatu Ora updates New Zealand’s capitation formula, using richer data to better align primary care funding with real patient and community needs.
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City skyline at dusk with illuminated office buildings reflecting on calm water, solid progress rising above the hills in the background, beneath a dark blue sky with scattered clouds.

Shaky ground or solid progress?

  • Client: Ministry of Business, Innovation, and Employment
In this report Sapere evaluated MBIE’s earthquake-prone building system, finding improved national consistency and progress but ongoing challenges with resources, communication, and timely remediation.
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Large green fern leaves frame a dark, shadowy center, creating a tunnel-like effect in dense jungle foliage—much like the journey to seek support through a mental health helpline, where hope emerges from darkness.

Social Return on Investment (SROI) of a mental health helpline

  • Client: Whakarongorau Aotearoa / New Zealand Telehealth
Sapere was asked to undertake an SROI of a mental healthline, finding the service delivers a 9:1 return, demonstrating substantial societal and health system value across diverse user needs.
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A close-up of a glowing light bulb hanging from the ceiling with several blurred non-lit bulbs in the background. The lighting creates a warm and focused effect against a dark blue backdrop.

Powering the future: Key challenges and insights for New Zealand’s energy market

The article highlights New Zealand’s energy challenges, emphasising the need for secure, reliable electricity amidst decarbonisation, market uncertainty, and regulatory reform to support long-term investment and energy security.
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A 3D-rendered human face made of scattered white letters and symbols, with parts dissolving into floating fragments against a blue background—symbolizing the decarbonisation of ideas into cleaner, lighter thoughts.

The economic impact of the adoption of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the Australian finance industry

  • Client: Australian Finance Industry Association
This report explores how AI adoption in Australian finance could add $48.9B to GDP by 2035 through productivity gains.
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