June 2026

Journeys with GETS

This is a series of in-depth stories into fascinating projects on GETS.

Pharmac has used GETS to support their recent tender to help New Zealanders’ cardiac health.

Heart stents secured through GETS generates savings | New Zealand Government Procurement

Caption: Pharmac Procurement Manager Sam Edlund and Pharmac Device Category Manager Mikka Nocete. Photo: Supplied

The Focus on People in Procurement Q and A: Olivia Tuatoko, Lesa Laga, and Mark Brown

This month Focus on Procurement was privileged to interview Olivia Tuatoko, Strategic Procurement Specialist, and Lesa Laga, Procurement Advisor, the Maritime New Zealand procurement team, and Mark Brown, SPCA National Procurement Manager.

At Maritime New Zealand, Olivia and Lesa steer procurement building strong relationships and provide practical support across the organisation. In this conversation, they share how they help teams navigate decisions and what first drew them aboard the procurement career journey.

Focus on Procurement interviews: Olivia Tuatoko, Strategic Procurement Specialist and Lesa Laga Procurement Advisor | New Zealand Government Procurement

Caption: Olivia Tuatoko, Strategic Procurement Specialist, and Lesa Laga, Procurement Advisor, the Maritime New Zealand procurement team. Photo: Supplied

Every dollar a procurement practice can save can be redirected into promoting the humane treatment of animals. Mark takes us through what that looks like in practice, and how he has achieved some great gains for the animals the SPCA cares for.

Focus on Procurement interviews: Mark Brown SPCA National Procurement Manager | New Zealand Government Procurement

Caption: Mark Brown, SPCA National Procurement Manager. Photo: Supplied

Government Procurement Leadership Council announced

New Zealand Government Procurement has established a new governance group, Government Procurement Leadership Council (GPLC).

This is a result of a shift towards more active governance across the government procurement system.

The GPLC will focus on strategic direction, cross-government priorities, and oversight of performance, risks and outcomes in the medium term. The group meets for the first time in June.

“I’ve received positive feedback from across the government procurement sector on the decision to establish this forward looking group,” says Michael Alp, General Manager New Zealand Government Procurement.

“The aim is to shift from a purely ‘advisory’ role to something more action driven, with clear outputs and expectations.”

Alongside the GPLC, there’ll be sub-groups focusing on specific procurement areas. NZGP will seek expressions of interest for sub-group members from the sector after the first meeting of the group.

The members of the GPLC are:

• David Archer, TVNZ, Te Reo Tātaki o Aotearoa

• Ryan Challis, New Zealand Defence Force, Te Ope Kātua o Aotearoa

• Tod Cooper, Ara Poutama, Department of Corrections

• Glenn Crafts, Stats NZ, Tatauranga Aotearoa

• Juliet Glass, Inland Revenue, Te Tari Taake

• Michael Hiscox, Ministry of Social Development, Te Manatū Whakahiato Ora

• Lisa Julian, New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Manatū Aorere

• Serge Kolman, Dunedin City Council, Kaunihera ā-Rohe o Ōtepoti

• Chris Richards, Ministry of Education, Te Tāhuhu o te Mātauranga

• Tamsyn Rouse, Ministry for Primary Industries, Manatū Ahu Matua

Why feedback matters – the art of the supplier debrief

Nobody likes to give anyone bad news. No one. But it’s part of every aspect of life and in government procurement that means letting some suppliers know their bid was unsuccessful and why.

Find out how to do it and to do it well in our new campaign that will leave agencies and suppliers empowered.

Why feedback matters - the art of the supplier debrief | New Zealand Government Procurement

How schools can save money on print so that cash can be put into teaching

There’s an AoG contract delivering on average 14% savings.

Not only does the AoG Print technology and associated services contract (Print devices) offer the possibility of freeing up funds to be put into your other demands, it also opens the door to a team at NZGP ready to help schools and kura at any time.

Helping schools save money on print so you can put that cash into teaching | New Zealand Government Procurement

Help to build your property-related iwi relationships

The Property consultancy services contract can do the heavy lifting for you when it comes to fulfilling your agency’s property-related obligations under Te Tiriti o Waitangi/The Treaty of Waitangi.

Any agency, council and school, big or small, can join the Property consultancy services contract to access help with property-related iwi relationships.

Help to build your property-related iwi relationships | New Zealand Government Procurement

Training to enhance your contract management skills

Want to update your contract management skills? Our Contract Management Fundamentals course has been refreshed and is available now on Hīkina.

Training to enhance your contract management skills | New Zealand Government Procurement

Guidance on how to integrate Rule 8: Economic benefit to New Zealand

Our guidance on integrating economic benefits to your procurement now includes specific elements you can adapt to your organisation.

New guidance on how to integrate Rule 8: Economic benefit to New Zealand | New Zealand Government Procurement

Procurement graduate programme 2027 enrolments to open

Let’s get people into a career they can thrive in and grow their communities. This is the programme that can open up the world of procurement for people based in Aotearoa New Zealand.

New Zealand Government Procurement graduate programme 2027 | New Zealand Government Procurement

How to do procurement when you are stretched

Juggling everything and you are the only person in your organisation in charge of procurement? Tod Cooper, Director Procurement, of the Department of Corrections has got some tips for you.

How to do procurement when you are stretched | New Zealand Government Procurement

Procurement Workforce Survey July launch

A capable workforce is essential for delivering value for money and effective public services, but until recently, there was limited data about workforce size, skills, and gaps.

The Procurement Workforce Survey aims to change that by providing reliable insights to guide planning, investment, and capability development across the system.

The people behind public procurement – shining a light on the New Zealand’s procurement workforce | New Zealand Government Procurement

Uplifting capability through insights profile

An important part of New Zealand Government Procurement’s offering is our Workforce and Capability team.

They help to promote best practice, foster collaboration, and develop procurement practitioners’ knowledge and skills.

Uplifting capability through insights | New Zealand Government Procurement

Events

• Health Tech Week - Auckland
  June 29 – July 3
  HealthTech Week 2026 | Aotearoa's national conference for health technology industry and research from MTANZ & Te Tītoki Mataora
  
  
• NZGP - Procurement Capability Community of Practice hui
  July 16
  Course information | Procurement Capability Community of Practice | Hīkina-Learning for Government Procurement and Property
  
  
• Horticulture NZ Conference - Wellington
  July 28 – 29
  Events | Horticulture New Zealand — Ahumāra Kai Aotearoa
  
  
• National Iwi Chairs Forum – Queenstown
  July 29 – 31
  IWI Chairs Forum | Upcoming Events 2025–2026 Calendar
  
  
• Green Property Summit - Auckland
  Aug 11
  Green Property Summit 2026

Notices

Rule 22: Panel of suppliers reporting

Reporting by all mandated agencies on their spending through panels is due 1 October 2026.

Reporting | New Zealand Government Procurement

Supplier onboarding for construction services open for September 2026

Supplier onboarding for construction consultancy services opens from 1-30 September 2026.

Construction consultancy services providers | New Zealand Government Procurement

Government announces new solar on schools programme

$30 million in funding for solar panels, batteries and energy management systems.

Government announces new Solar on schools programme | Ministry of Business, Innovation & Employment

New Zealand and Australia strengthen partnership on world-class research infrastructure

The Government has confirmed New Zealand will continue to access the Australian Synchrotron in Melbourne, a world-class research facility that enables scientists to study materials at the molecular level.

New Zealand and Australia strengthen partnership on world-class research infrastructure | Ministry of Business, Innovation & Employment

And here is a link to the Government’s science investment plan:

Government’s Science Investment Plan published | Ministry of Business, Innovation & Employment

New actions to protect Kiwis from scams

The New Zealand Anti-Scam Alliance’s 2026 work programme has just been published. It is a comprehensive set of actions that will help protect you from scams.

New actions to protect Kiwis from scams | Ministry of Business, Innovation & Employment

A word from your editor

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