A home for connection, learning and growth as we solve today’s and tomorrow’s challenges.
Welcome to FrankCommunity.
FrankCommunity is our way of keeping people connected and supported in the work they do. It creates space for learning from, and with, each other. On this page you will find articles to stretch your thinking, learning resources to build your skills, and a collection of events to get you out from your desk.
If you have any thoughts or suggestions on what you would like to see as part of FrankCommunity, please get in touch. We’d love to hear from you.
Hone your skills
Short, sharp answers to the questions you’ve always wondered about on your policy journey.
What does ‘free and frank’ mean in practice?
As policy professionals, more often than not, the policy challenges that we’re trying to address are complex and multi-dimensional and cross organisational…
How to run a cross-agency consultation
As policy professionals, more often than not, the policy challenges that we’re trying to address are complex and multi-dimensional and cross organisational…
Why language matters in policy
Especially if you’ve been through a change of government as a public servant, you might have been surprised how much language matters to Ministers – no matter…
Using data when we talk about equity
When we teach our FrankCapability learners how to approach a policy problem, we often get asked something. How can policy people talk about inequity while…
Using expert opinion in policy making
As policy professionals, we have to generate rigorous advice – often on complex issues that require careful analysis. Sometimes we’re under intense time…
Expand your mind
A curated list of readings Frank collects to stretch your policy thinking.
Best practice regulation: Setting targets and detecting vulnerabilities
New Zealand’s 1991 Building Act created a new regulatory environment, but led to the leaky building crisis. In light of the crisis, Peter Mumford asks whether…
Anticipatory public budgeting Adapting public finance for the 21st century
Governments face long-term challenges, but while infrastructure investments take a long-term view, other types of government spending do not. Anticipatory…
An evidence rating scale for New Zealand Understanding the effectiveness of interventions in the social sector
Evidence-based policy is important, which means that policy professionals need to make judgements about the quality of evidence they draw on. The rating scale…
A new way of thinking Critical Treaty analysis
The authors studied a group of policies to see how well they embedded Te Tiriti o Waitangi, and developed a Critical Treaty Analysis framework for testing how…
Grab some inspiration
Click below to see some of FrankGroup’s best work – so you can see policy skills in action.
Get out from your desk
Our handpicked list of upcoming events that are interesting to policy professionals.