Focus on Procurement interview – Devon Paranihi from an Arts degree to her brilliant procurement career
Eighteen months after her last Graduate Procurement placement, Devon Paranihi is thriving in New Zealand Blood Service’s (NZBS) procurement team.
Devon Paranihi
“I had such good experiences in the programme – it was like an explosion of learning, growth and opportunity. When you are contemplating a career after university you just don’t know what you don’t know. I had an Arts background in Cultural Studies, Chinese and Media, Communications but I didn’t appreciate just how transferable that was into a commercially focused job. The 4 placements offered me so much. They introduced me to real-world procurement challenges and gave me the confidence to use all my soft skills.”
“I absolutely loved my time with Auckland Transport and Health New Zealand Te Whatu Ora. They are both large organisations, with large procurement teams. One non-mandated and one mandated. But I found my sweet spot at NZBS. I’d had an earlier placement with them and returned for my last, and presto, I’m now kaimahi. The procurement team is small, just 3 of us, so we move easily between different parts of the organisation. Whether it’s the donor centre right next door to our offices in Epsom, or the Technical or Clinical teams, procurement is in lock step with the business and works across the organisation.”
“I can talk to anyone. It might be sourcing biscuits for our donor centres or looking at more complex market and supplier relationship issues for other teams or reviewing our fleet of vehicles. Side note, nearly half of our cars are battery, plug-in hybrid, or hybrid electric.”
“One of the biggest highlights for me was the publication of the 5th edition of the Procurement Rules last year. This gave our team the perfect opportunity to help all parts of the business understand the new rules and to do a great side hustle in general procurement education.”
“I absolutely love helping the business secure the best solution for what they’re trying to achieve.”
“I would wish this experience for all grads. It’s like falling into a job that offers so much growth.”
About
The Graduate programme is a unique 2-year programme consisting of 4 placements across our partner government agencies. Graduates will have access to mentoring opportunities, networking events, and training and support towards professional development.
The next cohort of 10 successful graduates are currently being finalised and will start in February 2027, located in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland and Te Whanganui-a-Tara Wellington.
Email the NZGP capability team: procurementcapability@mbie.govt.nz