Focus on Procurement – Mangakōtukutuku College Board business manager Pradeep Kumar
Balancing tight budgets, listening to procurement specialists, and getting the best for children are three principles Pradeep Kumar uses in their day-to-day work looking after a school.
Pradeep Kumar, business manager for the Mangakōtukutuku College Board.
Where are you from?
I’m from Hamilton, Waikato.
What did you train in and where did you study?
I trained to be a financial analyst advisor for a bank and Government organisation, and I studied at the London School of Economics.
What attracted you to a role in procurement and what keeps you here?
I enjoy helping schools save money and this gives the board assurance that spending is kept on the right track. All-of-Government (AoG) contracts have made life easier. AoG contracts are really good value for money and you can keep getting that value for money.
What advice would you give anyone considering a career in procurement or commissioning?
It’s a good career to pursue and you can help the community.
What are 2 things the public do not know about the role of procurement in schools?
- How contracts in the school environment actually work.
- How schools are involved in negotiating big contracts nationwide and how schools are protected.
What are the challenges with working in the education space?
Information and resources. The board needs to get fully involved and support the principal.
What has been the most interesting thing you’ve procured during your time in education?
Printers. The printing contract was challenging. Now I’m looking at a new one for refurbished computers that can help the kids with education.
What sort of work do you have to do when procuring any child-specific tools?
Lots of planning and logistics. The requirements of children are very specific. To make sure we get the best outcomes with our resources means constant communication with the procurement team, always looking for information on MBIE’s resources and advising the board. I cannot stress enough the importance of All-of-Government contracts!
What are the benefits you’ve seen at your school when you’ve signed up to All-of-Government contracts?
Stationery is a big expense for schools in NZ. We save heaps of money from the AoG special rate. Printing is another big cost. We save big money with the 5-year printing contract.
How were you first introduced to the All-of-Government contracts?
I read some articles on MBIE in my previous job and I attended an online seminar where they mentioned the AoG contracts.
Do you have any advice for anyone who works in a school who has just picked up the procurement or commissioning function as part of their day-to-day work?
Get in touch with NZGP’s team. Read the AoG newsletter, keep yourself updated, and go to seminars.
Is that advice different to what you’d advise someone who has been doing procurement for the past 10 years?
Yes, procurement has changed a lot compared with 10 years ago. Keeping yourself updated is important.
Can you please detail your top 3 achievements from your time in procurement?
- Saving money.
- Saving time.
- Listening to the procurement team and following the good advice given.
What is the most exciting thing happening in procurement right now?
Finalised contracts to add A-Grade refurbished laptops to the AoG IT. Hardware agreement. We’re looking to purchase some all-in-one desktops next year.
In an ideal world where you were not confined by a budget, what would you introduce to procurement that could help the industry function and develop?
I would build a single, cloud-based “NZ Procurement Knowledge Hub” that is free for every school and government agency. I think of it as a living library: e-learning modules, template documents that are updated in real time when legislation changes.
In your opinion, what is New Zealand’s greatest contribution to the procurement community here or overseas?
Without doubt, it’s the AoG model itself. New Zealand’s greatest contribution to the procurement community is its focus on integrity, transparency, and social responsibility in procurement practices. The New Zealand Government Procurement Rules are internationally recognised for promoting fair competition, open access to opportunities, and value beyond just cost. By sharing these principles and practices internationally, New Zealand contributes to a global conversation on how procurement can drive ethical, sustainable, and inclusive outcomes.