Kōtātā Insight undertake rigorous evidence-based analysis of complex and hard-to-quantify issues using survey and administrative data and mixed research methodologies.

Our work contributes to understanding the context and impact of public investment in:

• Wellbeing

• Culture

• Social cohesion

• Social policy

• Economic policy.

Kōtātā

The Kōtātā is a small secretive indigenous bird that inhabits the wetlands across Aotearoa New Zealand.  Most New Zealanders have never seen one and it has the reputation of being heard but seldom seen.  Described by Buller (A History of the birds of New Zealand) as “a matter of extreme difficulty to study”, the presence of the Kōtātā and its habits must often be inferred from the environment and other cues.  

Our adoption of the name Kōtātā reflects our focus on issues of importance to Aotearoa New Zealand and our particular interest in the measurement and understanding of behavioural, economic, and social outcomes that are also elusive and difficult to study.

The Kōtātā is also known as the New Zealand Fernbird, Mātātā, and Bowdleria Punctata.