Chapter 13: Spiritual Dynamics in Systems of Evaluation: Māori and Pacific Models for Process and Application

At the core of the word “e-valu-ation” is “value.” Hence, evaluation is considered to be the systematic determination of the value, merit, worth, significance, quality, or importance of something.

Evaluation is regarded as a rigorous, scientific research process undertaken by experts on projects, programs, services, providers, and people. Evaluations are often conducted with respect to groups, organizations, cultures, activities, conceptions, creations, programmes, policies, designs, processes, outcomes, institutions, and systems.

Relationship models for evaluations portray hierarchies representing the relative power of various stakeholders, including government ministries (often as contract funders and managers), project staff, program clients, and communities.

Drawing on over a decade of experience as an evaluator, in this chapter I ask, “How has evaluation changed for Indigenous peoples? Do contemporary evaluation processes and practices allow for alternative views of evaluation?” My examination highlights the challenges of contemporary evaluation from an Indigenous perspective.

This chapter begins with stories of evaluation embedded in traditional narrative. I then build a picture of the contemporary context in which evaluation now occurs, making reference to specific Indigenous circumstances. Next, I contribute two models of evaluation: “Hakamana” and “Fale Lotu.” As rigorous methods of evaluation, they reference Native science and Indigenous ontologies. To illustrate, I provide two current cases that offer insight into the centrality of spirituality in these evaluation models.

(Wānanga—Tohunga Puroku Tawhai)