Why do Broader Outcomes matter?

    • What are broader outcomes?

    • Are there different types of broader outcomes?

    • How has the government prioritised broader outcomes?

    • Broader outcomes vs. progressive procurement

    • Breaking down broader outcomes: Environmental

    • Breaking down broader outcomes: Social

    • Breaking down broader outcomes: Economic

    • Breaking down broader outcomes: Cultural

What are broader outcomes?

The concept of broader outcomes is a government directed initiative that aims to address persisting socio-economic inequalities across Aotearoa. As Māori, we generally understand broader outcomes as the ways in which we show our values: manaakitanga, kaitiakitanga, kotahitanga, whanaungatanga etc.

At its core broader outcomes is a term used to describe creating positive social impact. Many commercial organisations refer to this as social responsibility.

Are there different types of broader outcomes?

Broader Outcomes, under Rule 16 of the Government Procurement Rules, are referred to as the secondary benefits that can be generated through the purchasing of goods and services. This can be an environmental, social, economic, or cultural benefit that will deliver long-term public value for the NZ economy. 

How has the government prioritised broader outcomes?

The NZ government has identified 4 broader outcomes that they want to see government agencies actively trying to achieve through their purchasing of goods and services (procurement). These are:

  1. increased access to government contracts through supplier diversity;

  2. increased size and skill level in construction;

  3. improved working conditions; and

  4. reduced emissions and waste.

This means that when government agencies are buying something they should be looking at how suppliers that can help them achieve the above.

Broader outcomes vs. progressive procurement

  • Broader outcomes are the positive things we are trying to achieve in our communities.

  • Progressive procurement is one of the mechanisms (or waka) we can use to achieve broader outcomes.

Breaking down broader outcomes: Environmental

Environmental Broader Outcomes refer to the impact on the natural environment and ecosystem.

  • conserve biodiversity

  • reduce environmental degradation

  • promote sustainable resource management

  • mitigate climate change

  • environmental care

  • reduced waste

  • net zero emissions economy

  • conservation & restoration

Environmental outcomes can involve adopting environmentally friendly practices, reducing carbon emissions, preserving natural habitats, and promoting sustainable use of natural resources.

Example:

Your organisation might have a focus on environmental care. This might mean that as a part of delivering your service you only source products or materials from suppliers that adhere to sustainable production practices, such as using renewable energy sources, minimising waste generation, using natural resources or have their own environmental care plan in place.

Breaking down broader outcomes: Social

Social Broader Outcomes refer to the impact on individuals, communities, and society as a whole.

  • improved quality of life

  • increased access to opportunities

  • enhanced social cohesion

  • leadership & governance opportunities

  • trade work experience

  • improved social issues affecting Māori

  • health & wellbeing

  • improved working conditions

Social broader outcomes may include benefits that relate to welfare, healthcare, housing, community development and social inclusion.

Example:

Your organisation might have a focus on improved working conditions. This would mean you are doing things like, paying a living wage, complying with all employment standards, ensuring health and safety conditions are being met. Maybe you have created safe channels for workers to raise issues about employment rights or offer vocational training and development as a part of their work week.

Breaking down broader outcomes: Economic

Economic Broader Outcomes refer to the impact on employment, income generation, economic growth, and wealth distribution.

  • increased access for Māori businesses

  • increase the capability of local suppliers

  • construction sector skills

  • employment opportunities

  • trade training

Economic broader outcomes focus on fostering sustainable economic development and reducing socioeconomic disparities.

Example:

Your organisation might have a focus on employment opportunities. This might look like creating work opportunities for those that are unemployed, or offering apprenticeships and trade training opportunities to help pathway rangatahi into the workforce. Perhaps you have a workforce development plan in place that you actively use to pathway your workers into high paid, higher skilled roles.

Breaking down broader outcomes: Cultural

Cultural Broader Outcomes refers to the preservation, promotion, and revitalisation of cultural heritage, practices, and identities.

  • safeguarding of indigenous knowledge

  • traditions, languages and arts

  • cultural expressions

  • Māori cultural preservation

  • Māori cultural revitalisation

  • Mātauranga Māori in construction

  • Māori partnership & collaboration

  • Māori cultural capability & awareness

Cultural broader outcomes focus on maintaining cultural diversity, fostering intergenerational transmission of knowledge, and promoting respect for Māori culture.

Example:

Your organisation might have a focus on Māori cultural capability and awareness. Perhaps as a part of your company culture and professional development plan for workers you allow and pay for them to participate in te reo Māori or tikanga courses. Or perhaps you get externals to come in and run workshops on Māori values and principles. This would be around key opportunities that you provide workers as a way to engage in te ao Māori (the Māori world) to develop their cultural understandings.