2 APPROACH TO DEVELOPING THE FRAMEWORK AND INDICATORS

The SKB framework is being developed using a consultative approach. This is to ensure that perspectives across central government agencies and relating to substantive regional initiatives are taken into account. The settlement process is complex and it is not the intention of the framework to resolve different perspectives about this process. However, as a tool, the framework can provide a common platform for identifying and discussing both differences and commonalities in perspective.

This platform will be used to map our current knowledge and to inform future planning for research investment about the settlement process. It is positioned as a living document such that as our understanding of the process changes over time, it is expected that the framework will continue to evolve.

An SKB Steering Group provides oversight and guidance on the development of the SKB and ensures that it meets the strategic intent and needs of the NZSS. This Steering Group has provided feedback at each stage of the framework and indicator development. The Steering Group is made up of members from the Department of Labour, Ministry for Social Development, and the Office of Ethnic Affairs.

Key tasks undertaken to develop the framework and identify initial NZSS indicators were:

1. A review of substantive national settlement-related initiatives and readily available national and international literature (see Appendix A) was undertaken. A preliminary framework (the Newcomers Settlement Continuum) was developed and an initial pool of all potential indicators identified (regardless of availability of data) from the literature. These indicators focused primarily on the intermediate level goals of the NZSS.
2. Following feedback from the Steering Group, consultation workshops and meetings were held in Auckland and Wellington to discuss the draft framework and the initial list of potential indicators. A preliminary analysis of the feasibility and relevance of the total pool of potential indicators was completed based on criteria used for the Quality of Life publications. A list of these criteria is provided in Appendix B. Invitations were extended to central government, local government and settlement-related agencies, and academics. In total 74 people participated in the workshops and meetings. A list of participant agencies is provided in Appendix C.
   
   

   Background information was sent to invitees to the workshops. The aims of the workshops were to:

   • identify related strategies or initiatives that the SKB should align with
   • gain feedback on the draft framework
   • identify key sub-groups that may need to be considered separately in the framework (for example, family versus employment based newcomers)
   • gain feedback on the list of indicators, and
   • identify potential indicator information sources.
3. A revised draft framework and initial list of relevant indicators (including areas where available data has and has not been sourced) has been developed on the basis of the workshops/meetings. These are presented in this working paper. A draft of this paper was sent out to workshop and meeting attendees as well as invitees who were not able to attend, seeking further feedback and comment prior to being finalised to complete this phase of the SKB project.