Impact articles

Stay ahead with the latest thinking in social investment, impact measurement, and data-driven decision-making. Our articles share insights, trends, and best practices to help you make informed choices that drive meaningful change.

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Reaching the 15% with the Highest Needs
Articles
Articles
March 26, 2025
April 1, 2025

Reaching the 15% with the Highest Needs

Reaching the 15% with the Highest Needs – 15% of Kiwis account for half of all social service use, yet mainstream support often falls short. By redesigning services around real needs, we can drive better outcomes for those most at risk.

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The IDI turns 10: Why the world’s watching New Zealand
Articles
Articles
March 26, 2025
April 1, 2025

The IDI turns 10: Why the world’s watching New Zealand

NZ’s world-leading data system is transforming social investment, helping policymakers and organisations make smarter, evidence-based decisions.

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Improving impact starts with using your data
Articles
Articles
March 26, 2025
April 3, 2025

Improving impact starts with using your data

The ‘use to improve’ principle is simple. It says: the best way to improve your data is to use the data you already have. Read on to find out more!

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Not just insurance, a pathway to whānau wellbeing
Articles
Articles
March 26, 2025
April 3, 2025

Not just insurance, a pathway to whānau wellbeing

Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei’s nib-Toi Ora programme breaks barriers to healthcare by offering fully funded, culturally responsive insurance to whānau, creating $10 million in social value.

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Choosing the right social investment approach
Articles
Articles
March 26, 2025
April 3, 2025

Choosing the right social investment approach

This case study explores three distinct social investment approaches – Broad, Balanced, and Deep Impact – each delivering social value at varying scales and costs.

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Impact Lab and Kuhu Mai collab
Articles
Articles
March 9, 2025
April 3, 2025

Impact Lab and Kuhu Mai collab

$2.6M in social value delivered through simple, human-centred support. By meeting people where they are—with a coffee and a conversation—Downtown Community Ministry is transforming lives and proving the power of connection in social impact.

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Q&A show with John Campbell
Articles
Articles
March 7, 2025
April 3, 2025

Q&A show with John Campbell

John Campbell interviews Impact Lab’s CEO, Maria about social return on investment - hear what she has to say!

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0800 What’s Up phone and online chat service
Articles
Articles
March 3, 2025
April 1, 2025

0800 What’s Up phone and online chat service

Barnardos’ 0800 What’s Up phone and online chat service for children and young people has been shown by a new GoodMeasure report from ImpactLab to provide $2 of social value for every dollar spent on it, an excellent outcome for this unique service.

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How social investment can transform lives and communities
Articles
Articles
March 1, 2025
April 3, 2025

How social investment can transform lives and communities

Moving individuals into tailored, long-term housing with a specialised Community Housing Provider helped dramatically decrease the number of average hospital night visits in one social investment study.

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Cultured conversations
Articles
Articles
October 3, 2024
April 3, 2025

Cultured conversations

In discussion with Maria, Auckland art Gallery’s ‘Cultured Conversations’ series shares her perspective on the future of data in social services, and how a similar approach could be applied to the cultural sector.

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Matthew Monohan from Ma Earth
Articles
Articles
September 13, 2024
April 3, 2025

Matthew Monohan from Ma Earth

Maria chats with Matthew Monahan, from Ma Earth about SROI and the importance of impact measurement.

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Social investment approach
Articles
Articles
June 28, 2022
April 3, 2025

Social investment approach

A deep dive interview into Impact Lab and it’s social investment approach. We spend a lot of money with the intention that it has a positive impact on peoples lives - does our money have the impact we want?

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Beyond Consultation
Articles
Articles
January 6, 2022
April 3, 2025

Beyond Consultation

Maria joins Beyond Consultation to explore how data-driven insights can transform social investment. Listen now to how measuring impact helps organisations and funders make smarter decisions that drive real change for communities.

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