View in browser

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.

April 2025

In this newsletter: 

• Journeys with GETS – the National Poisons Centre database, and a Mackenzie District based research telescope that needed a new camera
• Focus on People in Procurement interviews Chris Jerram, of Wellington Zoo, and Sophia Hadef, of Keystone Procurement
• Procure Connect – our Government’s commercial centre
• Mahi tahi – Disability Support Services and NZGP
• Overcoming challenges – world view from graduates of the NZGP programme
• Procurement Community of Practice celebrates year of success 
• Events
• Notices

Journeys with GETS

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

This month, the University of Canterbury talks about their journey with a delicate piece of equipment that could have benefits for everyone. And the University of Otago talks about the delicate nature of running a nationwide poisons database that has been exported to the world.

Saving lives and the procurement journey behind it

From humble beginnings in Dunedin as a paper-based file in the 1960s, the National Poisons Centre database has evolved into a critical resource used by healthcare professionals around the globe to treat poisoned patients. 

The University of Otago leveraged the Government Electronic Tender Service (GETS) to realise this latest version of the database called toxinz™.

However, the journey to upgrade toxinz™ faced setbacks, including the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, resourcing, and fiscal constraints.

Saving lives and the procurement journey behind it

CAPTION: The 'database' has existed since December 1964, when the National Poisons Centre opened in Dunedin.  It was originally a paper-based windmill system comprising of an index and cabinet file. PHOTO: SUPPLIED

Searching the world to get a better understanding of the stars

A Mackenzie District based research telescope and detector that discovered a planet outside our solar system needed a new camera.

Professor Roger Reeves, Head of School Physical & Chemical Sciences at Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha | University of Canterbury (UC) is the lead of this major project that has used GETS to find a solution. 

Searching the world to get a better understanding of the stars

The Focus on People in Procurement: Chris Jerram and Sophia Hadef

This month Focus on Procurement was privileged to interview Chris Jerram, Director Safety, Assets & Sustainability at Wellington Zoo, and Sophia Hadef, of Keystone Procurement.

Chris talks about what it was like setting up the snow leopard enclosure in Wellington Zoo, the process of accessing snow leopards, and the most exciting thing happening in procurement right now.

Interview with Chris.

PHOTO: SUPPLIED

Sophia talks about the role of procurement in disaster relief, conflict zones and refugee aid. She details how people working in procurement can help their communities during times of conflict and what to do once the conflict ends.

Interview with Sophia.

PHOTO: SUPPLIED

Procure Connect - 

our Government's commercial centre

The platform has its official name – Procure Connect – NZ Government’s Commercial Centre. 

The All-of-Government External legal services (ELS) contract moves to Procure Connect mid year. 

We have been working with organisations most likely to use Procure Connect in 2025 to help them prepare for this change. Thank you to everyone who has embraced this system mahi.

We are very happy with feedback from ‘change leads’ in agencies. These nominated people are coordinating technical implementation at their agency and preparing users of the ELS contract to use Procure Connect. The preferred way for agencies to connect to it is via Microsoft Entra. Microsoft Entra enables single sign-on (SSO).

As a first step, ELS profiles and rates will be established on Procure Connect. All ELS suppliers will be registered on Procure Connect. 

Agencies will access Procure Connect to:   

•            access contract information  

•            see supplier panel profiles including ELS panel rates; and  

•            procure from panel suppliers using the Legal Service Orders.  

Suppliers will access Procure Connect to:   

•            manage business profile information and users  

•            manage their ELS panel profile information; and 

•            respond to contract opportunities.   

Mahi tahi - Disability Support Services and NZGP

Mahi tahi – Disability Support Services and NZGP

NZGP has supported the Ministry of Social Development’s (MSD) Disability Support Services with their commissioning mahi.

Disability Support Services (DSS) work to stabilise disability support services so they are fairer, more consistent, transparent, and sustainable into the future. 

They transferred to MSD in 2024, following an Independent Review. NZGP has been supporting their commissioning mahi. 

DSS Commissioning Director, Leuluaiali’i Catherine Poutasi, says NZGP’s system and cross-government expertise helped inform their thinking and assisted in the development of DSS’s commissioning approach.

Mahi tahi - Disability Support Service and NZGP

Empowering graduates for a successful career

A learning programme to empower young professionals is strengthening the procurement workforce.

Help to overcome challenges, continued support from government agencies who host graduates, as well as mentors and peers are the key takeaways participants of the New Zealand Government Procurement (NZGP) Graduate Programme praise the programme for.

Empowering graduates for a successful career

CAPTION: Expert Procurement Solutions New Zealand Director Andrew McLean, graduate programme manager Estelle Currin, Ash Hart and Blaire Hanna. PHOTO: SUPPLIED

Procurement Community of Practice celebrates a year of success

In April 2024, we launched the pilot Procurement Community of Practice (PCoP).

The group, created in response to feedback received from the procurement community, was set up to support our vision of a unified government procurement system. 

By working together we can continue to deliver better public value to New Zealanders.

Procurement Community of Practice celebrates a year of success

Events

• World Sustainable Contracting Day 2025 

             Online - WorldCC Foundation

             May 15 - 3am to 6pm GMT

             World Sustainable Contracting Day 2025: WorldCC

• ProcureCon

             Sydney and online

             May 19 - May 20

             ProcureCon Australia 2025 Australia's Procurement Conference

• WCC Lunch & Learn

             Online - Contract Friction Points

             May20 - 12pm to 1pm

             https://mbie.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_mFLRaUznRTeKKo9vY8rtQA

• Procurement and Supply Australasia -the inaugural CPO Exchange 

            Auckland

            May 22 - May 23

            The inaugural CPO EXCHANGE - New Zealand - PASA

Notices

Wool use in government buildings voice

New procurement requirements urge wool use in government buildings. Beginning 1 July it delivers on an NZ First-National Party coalition agreement to make wool the preferred option in government buildings. 

New construction procurement guide – use of woollen fibres in government buildings | New Zealand Government Procurement

Government procurement business survey results just released

We provide key insights and comparisons to previous surveys throughout the report.  Inside the article find out which practices are done well and where further improvement could be made.

New Zealand Government Procurement Business Survey 2024 

Government eInvoicing implementation

The Ministry of Business, Innovation & Employment increased the membership of the eInvoicing Open Syndicated Agreement. This agreement is available for all of Government. 

Procurement teams are encouraged to take advantage of the shorter process for procuring eInvoicing services for agencies required to meet the Government Procurement Rules to send and/or receive eInvoices.

A word from your editor

Thank you so much for reading Focus on Procurement. We appreciate hearing from you and what you’d like to read here so please send your comments to procurement@mbie.govt.nz. 

If you have enjoyed reading this month’s publication, please feel free to share it with your peers and encourage them to sign up for it.