What is SPEaR?
Purpose of the Social Policy Evaluation and Research (SPEaR) Committee
The Social Policy Evaluation and Research (SPEaR) Committee is a cross-agency group established by the New Zealand Government in 2001 to oversee the government's investment in social policy research and evaluation.
We use our unique cross-agency mandate to monitor social research and evaluation activity. We work to strengthen connections between public, private and tertiary sector providers and users of information. We do this to increase the capacity and capability of the social sector to deliver evidence-informed advice in a timely manner.
We advocate for the provision of social research and evaluation to decision makers.
SPEaR currently has 17 member agencies. It is headed by an independent chair and is supported by the SPEaR Secretariat. There are also a number of subcommittees and working parties that meet frequently to advance business in their respective areas.
