Michael Alp, incoming General Manager of New Zealand Government Procurement

Michael Alp, incoming General Manager of New Zealand Government Procurement is looking forward to working across the sector.

"Procurement has inherent qualities that other disciplines can utilise. In some respects, procurement can be the perfect ‘cross function’ connector for organisations," says Michael.

"Over the last couple of years under Laurence Pidcock’s leadership, NZGP has positioned the procurement function as a valued business partner, with a role beyond simply acquiring the goods and services the organisation needs."

"The challenges of covid, supply chain issues and latterly economic headwinds, have brought this into even greater focus. Procurement is an agency’s key market interface, meaning it can gather insights on market dynamics and trends, as well as external feedback on key investment projects. I very much support continuing this work and the drive to use data to create better oversight of the annual spend of $51 billion by the public service on goods and services."

"I’d like to build on this work by taking our skills and connections even further. I’d like to strengthen our connection into the Government CFO (and wider finance) network. Greater awareness and linkages with this group will bring its own rewards. Hearing financial perspectives or learning about projects at the earliest stages, means we can better deploy our skills at the right time and increase coordination across the system."

"I am a little of a cross-discipline hound myself, with experience in the private sector, service sector, property and procurement organisations across New Zealand and Australia. I have been fortunate to learn from some amazing executives and one thing the best have in common, is high levels of cooperation and coordination."

"No one person or profession has all the answers, and so it is strategic to widen the awareness of what we can offer. We are all facing the same external forces. We need to work together to deliver the best public value in our work in the most transparent way, while removing, or reducing, some of the more bureaucratic processes that can be more of a hindrance than help."

"On a final note, I’d like to thank Liz Palmer for holding the reins recently within NZGP. No incoming GM could want for a better handover or a stronger foundation to build on."