Keep up to date with 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:

- Cyclone Gabrielle – Emergency procurement
- Join our March CoLabs and help design procurement for the future
- Sector leadership consultation live
- Melanie Ahnau nominated for World CC Foundation’s Inspiring Women 2023
- Spotlight on reporting: Agency reporting for March 2023
- Procurement training delivery for 2023
- New graduates embark on their procurement career
- GETSmart with GETS
- Review of the progressive procurement policy settings
- Procurement Knowledge Hour: KiwiRail – Supplier relationship management journey

Many agencies are now involved in the government’s response to the devastation brought by recent weather events, helping New Zealanders rebuild their lives and businesses.

In an emergency like a cyclone or a flood, agencies may not have to follow the usual procurement procedures. Agencies will need to be flexible in how they procure goods and services that are required for their response, and are permitted to forgo routine procurement procedures.

Where possible, please reach out to your procurement colleagues in other agencies. This will help to remove duplication of orders and supplier contention.

If you or your agency needs further support or advice, please let your Account Manager know and they will help where possible.

Cyclone Gabrielle – Emergency procurement guidance

BACK TO TOP

This year we are hosting a series of design workshops called CoLabs to help us deliver the Government’s procurement for the future strategy.

This is an exciting opportunity for agencies and suppliers to help us shape the future of government procurement.

We know you’re busy, especially with the Cyclone Gabrielle response, so we have designed the CoLabs to not require a big commitment of your time.

These CoLabs will be focused on designing solutions, by bringing partially formed ideas to the table for your input and ideas.

We’ll be using an ‘open space’ approach in the CoLabs - running conversations on three topics at the same time, and using the ‘rule of two feet’.

The ‘rule of two feet’? We’ll be encouraging participants to freely move between topics, as they choose. This means that when you feel like you’re no longer contributing, or getting value from one topic, you can simply move to a different one, or break away, grab a drink and chat with others.

The first CoLabs will be hosted in person at a central Wellington location from 9:00am to 12:00pm on Tuesday 14 March and online via Microsoft Teams from 2:00 to 4:00pm on Thursday 16 March.

You have the option to choose to register for the either of these options.

The topics for March’s CoLabs are:

• Sector leadership – how could a sector lead work with agencies and suppliers?
• Procurement for the future benefit realisation
• Procurement platform – improving the consultancy services order process.

Find out more about the procurement for the future March CoLabs

BACK TO TOP

We’re seeking feedback on the proposed introduction of a sector leadership approach to how government manages strategic procurement in key sectors.

Sector leadership is an approach to supporting agencies to work together across significant areas of common expenditure. A key feature will be the appointment of new sector leads to work alongside agencies within certain sectors to:

• coordinate some procurement activity
• provide a sector voice
• connect stakeholders with shared interests.

Learn more about the consultation on sector leadership model

BACK TO TOP

Each year the World Commerce and Contracting publishes a prestigious list celebrating women who have made significant achievements in commerce and contracting. This year, the sole nominee from Aotearoa, was Melanie Ahnau, from New Zealand Government Procurement (NZGP).

Melanie was acknowledged as an Inspiring Women alongside 18 others from around the globe, such as the Deputy Minister of Infrastructure of Ukraine, the Chair of Transparency International and the Director - Climate Change and Sustainability Services, Ernst & Young.

Melanie Ahnau nominated for World CC Foundation’s Inspiring Women 2023

BACK TO TOP

The next reporting deadline is 1 March 2023, and we are collecting reporting on:

• Broader outcomes
• Progressive procurement policy

All government procurement mandated agencies must complete this reporting.

A big thanks to everyone who has completed the reporting for broader outcomes priority three and the progressive procurement policy.

It’s good to see that so many agencies have provided their reports by the deadline, and we really appreciate the time you’ve taken to complete these requirements.

There are still a number of outstanding submissions and if your agency has not yet submitted the required reporting, please make it a priority. We will follow up with agencies whose reporting we have not yet received in the coming days.

You can find more information on how to complete your reporting in the news article below:

Spotlight on reporting – Agency reporting for March 2023

Cyclone Gabrielle – Reporting extension

We understand that some agencies may be responding to Cyclone Gabrielle. As this work takes priority, we have reached out to agencies to discuss whether they need a deadline extension.

If you believe you require an extension due to the Cyclone, please get in touch with your Account Manager.

BACK TO TOP

We are currently planning a number of face-to-face procurement wānanga (courses) for 2023. The recent cyclone emergency has influenced where and when we will physically delivery training.

We’d like you to know that we are still committed to our training and will update you when we have a clearer view of travel logistics and venue availability.

You can still access our collection of training modules on Hīkina, or email the Procurement Capability team if you have any questions.

Hīkina – Learning for Government Procurement and Property

Our thoughts are with those affected by the floods and Cyclone Gabrielle.

Kia kaha.

BACK TO TOP

With the start of a new year comes a new intake of procurement graduates. Ten new graduates joined us last week for a whirlwind induction into the world of procurement.

The graduates completed our demystifying procurement workshop, strengthening their understanding of procurement and the role it plays. They also had the opportunity to meet with the second year graduates, who provided valuable insights into the year ahead.

If your agency is interested in hosting a procurement graduate for our August 2023 to February 2024 rotation, or you’re interested in learning more about the programme, email the Procurement Capability team.

Welcome to our 2023 procurement graduates – we can’t wait to see where the journey takes you.

BACK TO TOP

Welcome to the first instalment of our monthly Government Electronic Tender Service (GETS) tips. Each month we will bring you helpful tips and advice on how you can get the most out of GETS.

Did you know that you can find supplier and agency help guides on GETS?

You can access the agency help guide by logging on to GETS and clicking 'GETS help' in the top left corner; or you can access the supplier help guide by clicking 'Supplier User Help' in the left-hand navigation menu or by clicking here: 

Supplier user help guide

Let us know if you have a useful tip or fun fact about GETS to contribute. Email the Business Systems team

BACK TO TOP

After the consultation with agencies last year, the Cabinet has reviewed and made a decision on the progressive procurement policy settings. We’ll inform you about any changes once the Minister for Māori Development and Minister for Economic and Regional Development make an announcement.

Since the policy was introduced in 2020, agencies have exceeded the initial 5% target by reaching 6% in the first full year of reporting.

Reporting on progressive procurement policy

The progressive procurement reporting template is available on our website. We recommend you read the updated frequently asked questions before using the template.

Te Kupenga Hao Pāuaua collection tool [XLSX, 335 KB]

BACK TO TOP

Join us and our guest speakers as we kick off the 2023 series of Knowledge Hours.

Kriza Young, Procurement and Process Improvement Manager, KiwiRail and David Graham, Manager Supplier Relationships, New Zealand Government Procurement (NZGP) will discuss the supplier relationship management (SRM) journey; the basics of SRM, the KiwiRail experience and the tremendous value added by embarking on the journey.

Save the date

Date: Tuesday 28 March
Time: 11:30am to 12:30pm

Invitations to this event will be sent out shortly.

BACK TO TOP