Weaving evidence and values to fund what works—and lasts.
🔍 What is Social Investment?
Social investment is an approach used by governments, funders, iwi, and community organisations to:
- Tackle issues now to avoid greater spending in the future
- Direct funding to what works—based on data and lived experience
- Track progress over time using data and other evidence
At its heart, social investment is about making smart, values-aligned decisions about where funding goes. It combines evidence (what works), insight (what’s needed), and values (what matters to communities). Done well, it supports impact that’s sustainable, grounded in purpose, and shaped with and by those most affected.
💡 What’s the difference?
Social impact is the change we create. Social investment is how we resource that change.
Too often, investment is seen as just about money. But at its best, it’s about mana-enhancing funding—resourcing change in a way that uplifts kaupapa, deepens relationships, and honours both lived and learned knowledge.
If social impact is the garden—the visible, tangible change we nurture—then social investment is the soil. It feeds the roots, holds the water, and helps everything grow strong and true. It’s grounded in evidence—looking at what works, for whom, and why—so that funding can do more good, more effectively.
⚖️ The Politics of Social Investment
Social investment is not neutral.
It’s a way of making funding decisions—and that means it’s often shaped by politics, power, and policy priorities. What gets measured, who defines “what works,” and where resources go are all influenced by political agendas and systems that haven’t always served communities fairly.
Sometimes, social investment can feel like it’s about cutting costs or proving value for money, rather than resourcing what people truly need. It can reinforce inequities if it’s driven by narrow data, rigid targets, or top-down definitions of success.
💬 “If we’re not careful, social investment becomes a way of justifying disinvestment in those already carrying the heaviest load.” Practitioner Insight, Tūhono Impact
That’s why our approach is different.
Tūhono Impact views social investment as a chance to reclaim and reshape how funding decisions are made—so they’re grounded in kaupapa, cultural wisdom, and community voice. It’s not about fitting your mahi into someone else’s spreadsheet. It’s about lifting up what matters and showing why it deserves support.
🌱 What This Means in Practice
A social investment mindset encourages organisations to:
📊 Track progress – Use data and pūrākau to show how change is unfolding
📈 Demonstrate effectiveness – Share what’s working, and why
🔄 Improve services – Learn from what doesn’t work and adapt with care
🤝 Build trust – Strengthen accountability with partners, funders, and communities
Unlike traditional reporting, sharing your social impact is the steps needed to build your case for being a sound social investment.