Independent financial assessments

The Tourism Infrastructure Fund (TIF) provided funding for the development of tourism-related infrastructure such as carparks, freedom camping facilities, and water and waste-water projects. Councils or community organisations across New Zealand are invited to submit applications to co-fund proposed projects.

In 2017 we were asked to provide independent financial assessments of the position of applicants in round one and their ability to co-fund their projects. We developed a robust assessment methodology based on fourteen financial and performance ratios which assessed each applicant on two dimensions: (a) need for funding, and (b) ability to implement. This was supplemented by interviews with Council representatives, and separate financial reports were written for each Council.
For comparative purposes, Councils were grouped into one of three sector groups and relative assessments were presented in a simple graph for each sector group. This enabled the panel to assess the relative position of applications from different Councils.
Our assessments were combined with other information and supported the advisory panel and officials in making recommendations to Ministers. We were asked to provide similar services for subsequent rounds in 2018, 2019 and 2020.