The development of the SPEaR Best Practice Guidelines (Contracting, Ethics, Māori and Pasifika) is a key part of developing the research and evaluation capacity and capability of the social sector. Specifically the guidelines aim to:
- provide real world guidance,
- act as the basis for practical training,
- address cross-agency and cross-disciplinary needs, and
- provide examples, and
- suggest further resources (e.g., readings, places/people) for those wanting more detailed advice.
SPEaR held two information collecting hui to test and further develop a good practice3 guideline ‘product’ to assist in setting standards for good practice in New Zealand social policy research and evaluation.
A series of principles were decided upon – respect, integrity, responsiveness, competency and reciprocity – and there is broad acceptance and agreement with the principles based approach that SPEaR has taken in the development of these guidelines.
Feedback from Māori participants attending a May 2005 workshop indicated that in order to meet the aim of providing real world guidance, there was a need to provide some rich illustrative examples to assist the application of these principles within research and evaluation contexts.
A one day hui was held on the 8th of July, at Solway Copthorne Hotel and Resort, Masterton, (to coincide with the Inaugural anzea Conference – July 8-11, 2007).
SPEaR had progressed the development of the guidelines to their present state by bringing together primarily Māori, individual researchers and evaluators from both the public and private sector.
In consultation with anzea’s Māori board members, a different approach and process was utilised to contribute to the ongoing development of the guidelines; in particular to broaden the range/breadth of Māori contributing to the development of the guidelines. A more participatory approach centres on the notion of creating a shared understanding and is consistent with tikanga Māori principles of whanaungatanga and mana.
An invitation was extended to a wide range of Māori researchers and evaluators and to iwi and Māori provider and community-based organisations. Travel assistance of $80 was offered4 to community/NGO representatives. Participants were also offered accommodation for the night due to the hui completion time (expected to be around 7pm). For this hui the principle of koha, in this case reciprocity, was applied and individuals received no monetary remuneration for their involvement.
The involvement of community and hapū/iwi representatives was seen as imperative for ensuring that the practice guidelines take account of, and draw upon, the reality of Māori provider and whānau experience. It was also important that community and iwi/ Māori provider organisations were able to speak for themselves (i.e. give voice to their own experience and concerns), rather than researchers and evaluators, albeit Māori, speaking on their behalf.