Engagement Strategy: Engagement Framework

We take a strategic approach to plan meaningful engagement.

Define our purpose. We clearly outline why we’re engaging, what we’re engaging on and what we want to achieve.

Identify who to engage. We give careful consideration to who will be affected by decisions, particularly:

• Māori
• Pacific peoples, disabled people, and other populations who experience poorer health outcomes
• Consumers and whānau.

We also consider what subset of audience we are best to engage with.

Identify existing relationships that can be involved, these relationships may be held by internal stakeholders or with health sector partners.

Identify the level of engagement required that is appropriate for the kaupapa and level of interest and impact for partners and stakeholders. 

Review existing feedback and insights, such as research, data, or engagement reports, so we have context to support discussion and do not ask people to repeat themselves.

Identify any related engagement mahi being delivered by health sector partners that could be joined-up.

Develop clear and concise key messages, written in plain language and translated when required, so people understand our kaupapa and how they can participate.

Design our approach with partners and stakeholders so they can let us know what will work for them and to establish a shared understanding of what the engagement will achieve.

Plan where, when, and how to engage, considering how we can:

• engage early and often as possible
• ensure equal and fair access to participate
• provide flexible and accessible methods of engagement with sufficient time to engage effectively
• use engagement methods that support and empower people to provide meaningful feedback
• identify potential risks and plan mitigating actions
• outline deliverables and a complete timeline.

Follow best practice guidance and advice when planning engagement with Māori, Pacific peoples, and disabled people.

Plan how we will capture feedback accurately and fully, with adequate resource and systems in place. We also plan how information will be effectively analysed and summarised later on.

Our engagement with partners and stakeholders is authentic and embodies our principles. 

Develop an understanding of our partners’ and stakeholders’ needs, shared interests, and concerns. 

Prepare clear messaging and questions specific to who we are engaging with.

Have tikanga Māori capability to participate in, or facilitate, relevant protocols. 

Have cultural awareness to engage appropriately, we can do this by seeking guidance from internal or external support or resources.

Make time for whakawhanaungatanga to help establish and maintain relationships.

Build strong relationships through mutually beneficial, transparent, and frequent engagement, and acting on our commitments. 

Listen to and value all perspectives, expertise and lived experience, acknowledging all contributions. 

Adapt our engagement methods to meet partners’ and stakeholders’ specific needs.

Record all feedback. We file this appropriately so the wider team and other internal stakeholders can access this information.

Identify and document risks and escalate when required. When there is a conflict we identify and address it promptly with the goal of finding mutually beneficial solutions and transparent outcomes. 

For Māori, through the process of genuine engagement, we:

• acknowledge their rangatiratanga and status as Tiriti partners
• acknowledge that mātauranga Māori makes an important contribution to solving policy and practical problems
• acknowledge that Māori have the resources and capability to contribute
• acknowledge that some issues affect Māori disproportionately and as such they are better placed to develop the solutions.

We analyse and share what we heard and provide updates on progress and next steps. We review our engagement process with participants and look at where we can improve.

Analyse all partner and stakeholder feedback and prepare reports that accurately reflect the voices of participants.

Share feedback, themes, and outcomes with participants and the wider organisation. We inform participants how their feedback has translated into action and outcomes, we also let them know if something is not proceeding.

Communicate next steps, milestones, timings, and outcomes with all partners and stakeholders.

Invite participants to share their experience engaging with us.

Review our engagement processes and identify areas for improvement and share across the organisation.