Penny Fitzpatrick

Penny has worked on both the commissioning and delivery sides of research and evaluation, so she knows clients need to be sure of getting evidence they can understand, and insights that are relevant and up to date. She knows too that the work needs to be done in a way that upholds the client’s values and makes it a positive experience for their stakeholders.

With Penny’s combined theoretical depth and practical experience, she designs high-quality research and evaluation projects that meet those concerns, while also meeting clients’ budgets and deadlines.

Penny also has a strong interest in learning cultures. She’s skilled in developing processes where diverse stakeholders can share their observations and insights, to improve programmes in real time.

Examples of Penny's work

• Primary research to inform policy development – for example, for the Tertiary Education Commission to understand the needs and motivations of people in low-paid work
• Evaluating government policies and programmes – for example, leading an evaluation of the COVID-19 Wage Subsidy policy, and reviewing Auckland Council’s demographic advisory panel model
• Designing frameworks and tools for embedding learning processes – for example, an Action Research Hub to inform Auckland Council’s Wai Ora Wai Māori programme
• Facilitating diverse groups to design responses to complex problems – for example, multi-day sprints with 50-plus people to develop key aspects of the Auckland Climate Action Plan  
• Mapping evidence systems – for example, working with BRANZ to understand opportunities for their research to improve building regulation, policy, and practice.