Monitoring and Evaluation of Sector Engagement
63. Cabinet has agreed on principles to guide MED's monitoring and evaluation of NZTE interventions. These principles are not specific to MED and NZTE and can be used as a guide for monitoring and evaluation of sector engagement by government agencies (see Appendix Two).
64. Given MED's role in co-ordinating sector policy, and monitoring the implementation of GIF, MED would take the lead role in evaluating sector engagement. MED would draw and build upon the extensive monitoring and evaluation by Ministries and agencies of the implementation and outcomes of government interventions. This would include the performance expectations set out in statements of intent, purchase agreements and business plans, the reports on activities and performance outcomes across Votes and reports to responsible Ministers on policy and programme initiatives.
65. To minimise compliance costs, the monitoring and evaluation of sector engagement must be integrated into, and based on the data from this existing reporting. This means, for example, aligning it with MED's evaluation of NZTE's sector engagement and support activities, and evaluation of activities related to the implementation and outcomes of GIF, planned for 2006.
66. In the short term, evaluation activity will focus on monitoring the implementation of the sector engagement framework. In the longer term evaluation will, in conjunction with relevant research, assess whether sector engagement is making a worthwhile contribution to achieving government's economic development objectives.
67. Attribution of high-level engagement to sector performance will, however, be difficult given the multiple factors affecting performance. The approach used will need to balance any expectation of quantifying the value added to sector performance, versus the benefit, ability and cost to government and the economy.
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