Social Value Aotearoa has launched its first Theory of Change workshop, held at the Holiday Inn Auckland and bringing together individuals and organisations keen to strengthen the pathways between their intentions and impact.

The three-hour session gave participants practical tools to build robust Theory of Change frameworks that connected vision, activities, outcomes and long-term value.

Facilitated by Hector Kaiwai and Lynda Paniora, the workshop covered the foundations of Theory of Change, including how to identify assumptions and pathways of change, map short, medium, and long-term outcomes and consider stakeholder perspectives and indicators of success. Participants also explored how Theory of Change can be applied across programme design, commissioning, evaluation and impact reporting.

Hector brings deep expertise in kaupapa Māori research, outcomes frameworks, and social value measurement, with experience spanning Whānau Ora, commissioning for value, systems designand impact evaluation. Lynda draws on extensive practice in strategy, evaluation and organisational development, with a focus on practical application and capability building.

As the first in what marks a new offering from SVA, the workshop equips attendees with clearer frameworks to strengthen strategy, planning, measurement and decision-making within their own organisations.