As we head into 2026, New Zealand's public sector tendering landscape is set for significant updates with the full rollout of the 5th edition Government Procurement Rules (effective from late 2025).
The biggest shift: a stronger focus on economic benefits to New Zealand. Agencies must now prioritise local businesses, with a new 10% minimum weighting in evaluations for how tenders boost jobs, training, and the Kiwi economy. For smaller contracts (under $100k general, or $9M construction), NZ firms get preference if capable.
Rules slashed from 71 to 47 for simpler processes, plus tighter contract management and transparency.
On the practical side, faster payments and digital invoicing kick in fully: agencies aim to pay 95% of invoices quickly (e-invoices in 5 days), and large ones must handle eInvoicing from January 2026 – better cash flow for suppliers!
These changes make it easier for local businesses to win government work worth $50B+ annually. Time to highlight your Kiwi strengths in proposals.
At TenderNova, we're here to help you navigate and capitalise on these opportunities. Contact us for a free tender review!