Why choose NZCER for your evaluation?
Highly regarded educational experience
NZCER has been producing high quality evaluation and research for over 90 years. We have extensive experience working with schools, kura, children, ākonga and young people, working in multicultural environments, and engaging all stakeholders in a way that delivers robust, actionable insights for you.
A kaupapa Māori research unit, Te Wāhanga
Te Wāhanga has evaluation specialists who are guided by tikanga Māori and mātāpono Māori. We deliver evaluations in kaupapa Māori, Māori-medium and English-medium settings. Our work is by Māori, with Māori, for Māori, and is inclusive of individuals and collectives. We also form teams with tangata Tiriti colleagues and use methods that are compatible with kaupapa Māori approaches.
Our own independent ethics committee
NZCER has its own independent ethics committee, ensuring that all evaluation projects protect the safety of participants and adhere to our evaluation standards.
Our team of statisticians and psychometricians
Our psychometricians and statisticians are highly regarded in Aotearoa, with work ranging from national assessment projects to small-scale data analysis.
Sector-leading experts in the evaluation space
NZCER’s evaluation experts are leaders in their field, regularly presenting at ANZEA conferences and collaborating with other organisations on evaluation projects. We have relationships with partners who can undertake value for investment approaches.
Through our publishing arm, NZCER Press, we also produce Evaluation Matters – He Take Tō Te Aromatawai, supported by ANZEA (of whom we are an organisational member).
Direct relationships with our evaluators
When you work with NZCER, you will work directly with the evaluation team. They have worked with a huge range of stakeholders. They bring education, teaching, curriculum and assessment expertise and they are experienced in evaluation work involving children, young people, adults and whānau.
Independent, not-for-profit organisation
As a public good organisation, NZCER is driven by its strategic visions and goals, approved by an independently elected Board and Electoral College. We are education- and equity- driven rather than profit-driven, and have a lengthy history of delivering trustworthy, evidence-based work.
Strong, evidence-backed survey and assessment tools
NZCER has developed and can use such well-regarded tools as the Wellbeing@School Survey, Progressive Achievement Tests, the Teaching, School, and Leadership Practices survey, and the Literacy and Numeracy for Adults Assessment Tool.
Dedicated information services
We have a library team who can assist us to source literature and resources relating to a wide range of areas.
What our partners say
"We were thoroughly impressed by the work delivered by NZCER in evaluating a number of our programmes and conducting cognitive testing on some of our surveys. Their extensive understanding of the education sector and their ability to produce insightful, actionable reports that were not only comprehensive but also highly usable for our stakeholders added immense value to our projects” - Sport New Zealand | Ihi Aotearoa, for our Play.sport evaluation
"Thank you so much for your wonderful work on this. Your great mahi has really transformed how we are approaching provider reporting and accountability and set us up for real success. I am very grateful for your generosity of thinking, perseverance and authenticity." - Carla Rey Vasquez, Ringatohu Ngā Karahipi - Director Scholarships, Education NZ
"Working with NZCER since 2019 has been a rewarding experience. Their comprehensive evaluations of our programmes have provided valuable insights that continue to shape our strategic direction and strengthen programme effectiveness. Jo and Nicola brought deep expertise, clarity, and integrity to every stage of the evaluation process. Their collaborative approach, responsiveness, and genuine commitment to understanding our goals made them exceptional partners. We would gladly work with NZCER again, as their contribution has been instrumental in helping us to deliver a greater impact.” - Nick Thomson, Chief Operating Officer, Te Ara Ahunga Ora Retirement Commission on our evaluation of their financial capability programmes