At-a-glance results

• Benefit–Cost Ratio (base): 5.1 : 1

• Present Value of benefits: $1.13m (real 2025 NZD)

• Present Value of costs: $0.22m

• NPV: $0.90m

• Cohort: ~400 people

• Sensitivity range: 0.6–8.6 : 1 (driven mainly by attribution)

What this example covers

He Oranga Poutama supports community-led participation in active recreation and sport across the Manawatū region. The example shows how we translate observed outcomes into a forecast SROI using Treasury’s CBAx approach, in real 2025 NZD with a 2% social discount rate.

What we measured (monetised)

Five material outcome domains were monetised with documented sources and base years:

• Improved physical health (adults & youth)

• Avoided moderate depression/anxiety

• Social connectedness / group membership

• Life satisfaction uplift

• Regular volunteering

Unit values used in the model (per person-year): $1,742 (adult physical activity), $1,223 (youth physical activity), $20,000 (avoided depression/anxiety), $1,084 (social connectedness), $745 (volunteering).

What we didn’t monetise

Cultural identity and belonging, community leadership, marae engagement, environmental connection (Māra Kai), and other taonga were reported qualitatively to avoid double-counting and preserve conservative claims. These sit outside the ratio but are material to decision-makers.

Method in brief

• Counterfactual & deadweight: estimate what would have happened anyway before any other adjustments.

• Attribution: allocate shares across contributors; never assume 100%.

• Duration & drop-off: retain only the portion that persists each year (physical health to three years; social connection and volunteering into year two; some outcomes set to one year).

• Discounting: convert to present value at 2%.
  Approach follows the 12-check audit pathway for design → causality → valuation.

Results & drivers

The largest monetised contributions come from improved physical health and social connectedness, with additional value from avoided depression/anxiety, life satisfaction, and volunteering. Sensitivity testing shows the key lever is attribution; the base case remains positive under moderate settings.