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December 2021

In this newsletter we keep you informed about conversations that are happening across the public sector that focus on procurement. We welcome your feedback and suggestions for stories to include in upcoming editions.

In this newsletter:

Kia tau te aroha mo te wā, best wishes for the season!

Liz Palmer

Tēnā koutou katoa

I would like to take a moment to introduce myself. I have been in the branch a while now and am currently acting for Laurence Pidcock as General Manager New Zealand Government Procurement (NZGP), while he is on parental leave. I can confidently say that both Laurence and I are genuinely excited about the direction government procurement is taking and look forward to working with you in the New Year to deliver on the new vision for procurement.

It's been a big year with lots of exciting work going on:

  • This month, we celebrated the one year anniversary of the progressive procurement policy with project partner Te Puni Kōkiri
  • In November we hosted a virtual meeting with 250 government procurement professionals to discuss Procurement 2.0
  • We launched new office supplies and IT hardware contracts and carried out panel refreshes for consulting services, advertising services and media services.

2022 looks to be just as rewarding:

  • Early next year, we will share a programme and six month plan that we are developing to create system-wide change.
  • We will launch a new electricity contract, return to market for print technology and associated services and renew facilities management services.

I am proud of what we have achieved this year despite (or in spite of) the ever-changing environment and constant challenges. We have seized opportunities to use procurement to achieve broader outcomes addressing the economic, social and environmental challenges that Aotearoa faces.  

We can only create system-wide change through collective effort. Your continued support, willingness to participate and ability to adapt to a constantly changing environment has enabled us to deliver great things this year. I look forward to celebrating more wins with you all in the New Year.

And on that note, I wish you all a fantastic summer holiday and new year filled with aroha and whanau. 

Noho ora mai, Liz

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Positioning procurement for the future

Last month, New Zealand Government Procurement hosted a virtual meeting with 250 government agency staff to talk about the future of government procurement and the opportunity we have to deliver better outcomes for New Zealanders.

Panel members included Laurence Pidcock, General Manager New Zealand Government Procurement; Mark Richards, Divisional Manager, Commercial Division, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade; and Sarah Blackie, Programme Director, New Zealand Government Procurement.

We are currently developing a 24-month programme and a clearer six month plan. We’ll share this programme with agencies in the first quarter of next year.

Positioning procurement for the future

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Case study: Te Puni Kōkiri’s Progressive Procurement Capability Uplift programme helps Māori business win first government contract

Driven to get whanau into warm, dry homes in ‘the North’, Yakas Construction owner Martin Yakas of Ngāti Rehia worked for Northland iwi to repair houses and make them watertight. The business has since grown from one employee to 12 and has recently won its first government contract with Kāinga Ora – Homes and Communities to build six state houses in Kaikohe.

Yakas Construction went through Te Puni Kōkiri’s Progressive Procurement Capability Uplift Programme where Martin was mentored by Māori business Height Project Management Limited.

Building healthy homes for Northland whanau through progressive procurement - Te Puni Kōkiri Ministry of Māori Development

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Supporting agencies in their electric vehicles transition

We are supporting agencies’ transition to electric vehicles to support the goal of an emissions-free government fleet by 2025/26. Some of our initial solutions include access to: 

  • Electric vehicles suppliers
  • Fleet audit and optimisation providers
  • Infrastructure assessment providers

Under the motor vehicles contract, agencies can access an open panel of electric vehicles suppliers. The panel of suppliers will work with you to support your agency’s sustainability goals.

Using the motor vehicles contract

Under the AoG consultancy services panel refresh, agencies can now choose from 11 Tier 3 providers that can help with fleet audit and optimisation.

Find consultancy services providers of fleet audit and optimisation services in the sub-category audit.

Consultancy services providers

The AoG construction consultancy services contract covers infrastructure assessment services under sub-category building services/mechanical/hydraulic/electrical engineering.

Read about construction consultancy services contract including what it covers, features and benefits and how to join.

Construction consultancy services

We encourage you to work with AoG providers and suppliers who will support your agency’s sustainability goals.

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Minimum living wage for public service department cleaners, caterers and security guards

From 1 December 2021, the core public service departments and departmental agencies are directed to implement a minimum living wage rate for cleaners, caterers and security guards for new or renegotiated service contracts.

Addressing low pay for New Zealanders is a priority for the Government, with a focus on low pay for vulnerable worker groups who do valuable work but are not always paid at levels that allow them to have decent standards of living.

We have developed guidance on implementing a minimum living wage, which includes a government set rate for agencies to adopt in their contracts, example contract clauses and RFx questions.

You can read more about the guidance and the living wage rates on our website.

Minimum living wage for public service department cleaners, caterers and security guards

Guidance and resources on improving conditions for New Zealand workers

Living wage public services contractors - Beehive.govt.nz

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Sustainable building standards for new government owned non-residential buildings

In support of the Carbon Neutral Government Programme (CNGP), Cabinet has agreed that procurement mandated agencies use an approved sustainable building rating system eg Green Star Design and As Built, for new government owned non-residential buildings with an estimated capital of $25 million and over from 1 April 2022. The estimated capital threshold lowers to $9 million from 1 April 2023.

Sustainable building standards for new government owned non-residential buildings

Building rating systems

Climate standards for new Government buildings - Beehive.govt.nz

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Hīkina has been zhooshed up

Hīkina, the learning platform for New Zealand Government Procurement and the Government Property Group, has been upgraded to make the look, feel and usability of the platform even better.

Hīkina learning platform has been updated

Hīkina helps to build public sector capability and knowledge through procurement training and courses in social services contract management and broader outcomes training.

The Hīkina video library is a collection of acessible videos covering a range of activities including procurement and property knowledge hours.

To access Hīkina, users need to be a government staff member and create an account using their RealMe login.

Hīkina - Learning for Government Procurement and Property

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Government supplier management toolkit is available to view

Our supplier management toolkit is now available on our website. The toolkit has two parts targeting different audiences, professionals and leaders, and is designed to:

  • lift agency capability
  • help manage supply chain risk
  • provide better governance and oversight of suppliers to leverage the full potential of supplier relationships
  • demonstrate a more coordinated and consistent approach with strategic suppliers

The toolkit has been published as part of the Government supplier management programme and aims to improve supplier relationship management practices across government.

If you have any questions, go to our website for more information or email us

Introduction to supplier management

Supplier management toolkit and guidance for professionals

Supplier management toolkit and guidance for leaders

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AoG professional services broader outcomes framework

The AoG professional services broader outcomes framework helps agencies include broader outcomes in their procurement processes.

It consists of:

  • practical guidance
  • specific sample questions
  • a rationale tool to prioritise broader outcomes for agencies, and for businesses who are thinking of tendering for government contracts

Professional services broader outcomes

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For more information about anything in this newsletter please email the Procurement team.