Evaluations

Robust and Independent Assessment

We provide independent evaluation of policies, programmes and services. We offer the full range of evaluation services – from rapid “in flight” reviews to complex, large-scale and multi-year evaluations.

We work with you and your stakeholders to design and implement reviews and evaluations using customised approaches that are tailored to the context.

Our evaluators are skilled in a range of evaluation theories, and qualitative and quantitative methods. This means we can deliver a comprehensive evaluation product.

What we do

We provide end-to-end evaluation services, including:

  • Developing outcomes frameworks, logic models and results measurement frameworks
  • Ex ante appraisal (e.g., cost-benefit analysis, economic impact analysis, regulatory impact analysis, business cases)
  • Stakeholder engagement, including interviews and focus groups, consultation documents and submissions analysis
  • Results monitoring
  • Evaluation scoping and design
  • Independent evaluations and reviews
  • Policy development, programme design and service planning.

 

Methods we often use include:

  • In-depth interviews and focus groups
  • Surveys (including paper-based and online)
  • Case studies
  • Data analysis, including analysis of statistical and administrative data, and advanced modelling
  • Quantification of “hard to measure” outcomes such as intangible social, economic and cultural impacts
  • Analysis of financial performance, efficiency and value for money.

 

Publications

Examples of our work

spirit of tourism and adventures in Aotearoa New Zealand.

Economic impacts of tourism

Preparation of a report for the NZ Ministry for Business, Innovation and Employment providing advice on tourism funding flows across stakeholders, along with the economic impacts of tourism, and to offer a high-level indication of potential infrastructure pressures associated with the Tourism Growth Roadmap.

Supporting growth in tourism’s economic contribution to Aotearoa New Zealand
A brown liquor being poured from a bottle into a small clear glass, with another filled glass and an empty larger glass nearby, all placed on a tabletop. The background is softly lit, providing a warm and inviting atmosphere.

Distillery industry export market analysis

Preparation of a report for the Victorian distilling industry to identify a set of priority markets with demonstrated export potential for Victorian distilled products, including the development of market entry strategies for each market identified.

Distilling success for Victorian spirit exports

Governance Framework and Regulatory Improvement

Design and delivery advisory for a program to reduce risk for a maritime regulator. Program design was based on development and agreement of a shared risk model between the regulator, port and industry stakeholders.

Implementation of the Victorian Business Acceleration Fund

Assisting the Victorian Department of Treasury and Finance with the delivery of the Victorian Business Acceleration Fund which comprises nearly 100 individual projects aimed at reducing the cost of business and encouraging economic growth.

Major Government Infrastructure Program

Program design for a major, multi-year departmental change program, including development and implementation of required program controls.

Local Government Grants Program Governance Review

Review and recommended improvements to governance through the full lifecycle of grant program design, project selection and allocation through to delivery and benefits realisation.

Major Government Infrastructure Program

Program design for a major, multi-year departmental change program, including development and implementation of required program controls.

Sapere Good Governance Guide

Based on years of project and program assessment, assurance and delivery, the Sapere Good Governance Guide helps establish the right governance and decision making for major initiatives as a way of maximising success and avoiding common challenges that can lead to project failure.

Good Governance Guide
Our team has decades of experience in the provision of expert evaluation services, ranging from large and complex matters (with quantum exceeding $100 million) to small quantum or single-issue matters.

Key contacts
Matt Balmford
David Moore
David Graham
Dr Vijaya Ramamurthy

Some of our recent articles of interest

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Is New Zealand’s Regional Infrastructure Fund set up to deliver on its promise?

  • Client: and Employment, Innovation, Ministry of Business
Sapere evaluated the early implementation of the Regional Infrastructure Fund for the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment while projects and governance arrangements were still evolving.
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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.
Read more
City skyline at dusk with illuminated buildings casting shimmering reflections on still water in the foreground; though there are subtle signs of instability beneath the city’s base, the radiant windows convey a sense of resilience and advancement set against hills and an overcast sky.

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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A woman with brown hair styled in a bun sits on a sofa, speaking on the phone with a mental health helpline. She gazes out large windows at a breathtaking sunset over water, islands, and mountains. A mug rests on a nearby table.

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 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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A brown liquor being poured from a bottle into a small clear glass, with another filled glass and an empty larger glass nearby, all placed on a tabletop. The background is softly lit, providing a warm and inviting atmosphere.

Distilling success for Victorian spirit exports

  • Client: Agriculture Victoria
The Australian craft distillery sector has grown significantly, with Victoria now having 188 distilleries. Sapere, commissioned by Agriculture Victoria, identified priority markets and developed market entry strategies for Victorian spirit exporters.
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