WORK WITH US
Bringing Whiria Ngā Ara into your work
Whiria Ngā Ara is most powerful when it is applied – to real investment decisions, live commissioning contexts, and programme designs that need to be stronger. We work alongside Iwi, government agencies, philanthropic organisations and NGOs across three main modes: investment and portfolio strategy, commissioning and system design, and programme design and measurement.
Engagement looks like
Portfolio mapping
Understanding what configuration of impact your current investment is positioned to create
Commissioning design
Developing frameworks and tools for localised social investment that work with community rather than at them
Theory of change
Building or strengthening programme logic using the impact pathway architecture
Measurement design
Aligning indicators to causal steps and building interpretive bundles that produce real insight
Ecosystem analysis
Mapping what already exists in a place or kaupapa and where new investment would be most meaningful
THREE MODES OF ENGAGEMENT
Where we can add the most value
Our work is most effective when it is applied to a real decision or design challenge – not as a standalone framework exercise. These are the three areas where Whiria Ngā Ara engagement tends to add the most value.
INVESTMENT & PORTFOLIO STRATEGY
Understanding the impact potential of your portfolio
For Iwi, philanthropic funders and government agencies making decisions about where social investment should go. We work alongside decision-makers to map current portfolios, diagnose what configuration of impact the investment is likely to create, and support strategic conversations about rebalancing, strengthening or complementing what exists.
- Portfolio mapping across the five determinant groups
- Diagnostic outputs and sense-making workshops
- Ecosystem mapping to situate your portfolio in the wider landscape
- Strategic options analysis and investment recommendations
most relevant for
Iwi and Māori organisations
Philanthropic funders
Iwi and Māori organisations
COMMISSIONING & SYSTEM DESIGN
Building commissioning frameworks that work with community
For government agencies and Iwi exploring localised commissioning, social investment, or redesigning how public services are structured and funded. We bring the Whiria NgĀ Ara architecture into the commissioning logic – connecting investment decisions to causal theory, not just service categories or output targets.
- Commissioning framework design using the determinant architecture
- Community and provider engagement processes
- Performance and accountability frameworks aligned to causal pathways
- Learning and adaptation systems for ongoing improvement
most relevant for
Government commissioning teams
Iwi commissioning bodies
Health & social service agencies
PROGRAMME DESIGN & MEASUREMENT
Stronger programme logic and smarter measurement
For NGOs, community organisations and service providers who need a stronger theory of change, a more coherent measurement approach, or both. We work at the programme level – using the impact pathway architecture to build and test causal logic, and the interpretive bundles methodology to align indicators to the steps that actually matter.
- Theory of change development using impact pathway architecture
- Contribution mapping and pathway strength assessment
- Measurement framework design using interpretive bundles
- Evaluation design and learning system development
most relevant for
NGOs and service providers
Kaupapa Māori organisations
Community-led initiatives
capability building
Building internal capability with the framework
For organisations that want to build in-house capability to apply Whiria Ngā Ara independently – whether for ongoing investment analysis, programme design or performance monitoring. We offer facilitated workshops, learning programmes and working sessions designed to transfer capability, not create dependency.
- Introductory workshops on the framework and its applications
- Facilitated working sessions applying tools to live challenges
- Team capability building for investment, design and evaluation staff
- Ongoing advisory support as capability develops
most relevant for
In-house strategy teams
Investment committees
Evaluation and learning teams
These categories are not rigid. Most engagements draw on more than one mode – a commissioning project may include portfolio mapping, theory of change work and measurement design. We scope each engagement based on the actual challenge, not a fixed service menu. If you are not sure which category fits, get in touch and we will talk it through.
how an engagement works
From first conversation to applied output
We try to keep engagements practical, grounded and useful. The shape of each engagement varies depending on context – but the approach follows a consistent pattern.
01
Initial conversation
We start by understanding your context, the decision or design challenge you are working with, and what a useful output would look like. This is a genuine scoping conversation, not a sales pitch.
02
Scoped proposal
We develop a focused proposal that names the approach, the outputs, the people involved, and the time and cost involved. We keep scope tight – better to do less well than more poorly.
03
Applied work
The engagement itself – whether a workshop, an analysis, a design process or a facilitated strategy session. We work alongside your team rather than to them, and we build in reflection points so the work can adapt as it goes.
04
Outputs and handover
We produce outputs you can actually use – reports, frameworks, tools, facilitated sense-making sessions. We take care with handover so the work does not sit in a folder. Where relevant, we agree follow-up or ongoing advisory arrangements.
We are a small team and we are selective about the engagements we take on. We prioritise work where Whiria Ngā Ara is genuinely the right tool, where we can add real value, and where the organisation is ready to engage seriously with the framework – not just tick a strategy box. If we do not think we are the right fit, we will say so.
types of engagement
From a single workshop to a sustained partnership
Engagements range from a single facilitated session through to multi-month applied projects. All are scoped individually – the categories below are starting points, not fixed packages.
Introductory engagement
One to three sessions
A facilitated introduction to Whiria Ngā Ara in your context – helping a team or leadership group understand the framework, test whether it is relevant to their work, and identify where it could add most value.
- Framework orientation for your team
- Facilitated relevance and application mapping
- Practical next steps or options for deeper engagement
Allied project
Four to twelve weeks
A focused engagement applying Whiria Ngā Ara to a specific challenge – portfolio mapping, commissioning design, theory of change development, or measurement framework design. Produces tangible, usable outputs.
- Scoped to a specific decision or design challenge
- Analysis, workshops and facilitated sense-making
- Practical outputs – frameworks, reports, tools
- Handover and follow-up support
Sustained partnership
Ongoing advisory relationship
An ongoing advisory relationship for organisations embedding Whiria Ngā Ara into their investment, design and measurement practice over time. Involves regular touchpoints, responsive support and collaborative learning.
- Regular advisory touchpoints
- Responsive support as questions emerge
- Access to research and learning as it develops
- Contribution to the evolving framework
We are a small team and we are selective about the engagements we take on. We prioritise work where Whiria Ngā Ara is genuinely the right tool, where we can add real value, and where the organisation is ready to engage seriously with the framework – not just tick a strategy box. If we do not think we are the right fit, we will say so.
ready to explore working together?
Tell us what you are working on
You do not need to have a fully formed brief to get in touch. A short description of your context and the challenge you are navigating is enough to start a useful conversation.
Investment and portfolio strategy
Wanting to understand what your current portfolio is likely to achieve, or rethink how investment is allocated.
Commissioning and system design
Designing or redesigning how services are commissioned, funded or structured in a place or for a population.
Programme design and measurement
Building or strengthening a theory of change, or designing a measurement approach that captures what actually matters.
Building internal capability
Wanting your team to understand and be able to apply the framework independently over time.
Not sure yet
You can see the potential but are not sure where to start – that is a good place to begin a conversation.
Start the conversation
Explore the work first
The framework
Understand the determinant architecture, impact pathways and the evidence base behind Whiria Ngā Ara.
The tools
Portfolio allocation, theory of change builder and ecosystem mapping – available September 2026.
Applications
See how Whiria Ngā Ara has been applied with hauora Māori Services Te Waipounamu and Pou Tangata.