New edition of Government Procurement Rules goes live
The 5th edition of the Government Procurement Rules has been published. The new Rules come into effect on 1 December 2025. Government agencies that are required to follow the Rules are expected to implement them as soon as practicable.
“Public consultation earlier this year provided feedback on the updated edition which streamlines and simplifies the Rules – reducing the number from 71 to 47.” says Michael Alp, General Manager, New Zealand Government Procurement (NZGP).
“This 5th edition updates the current 4th edition Government Procurement Rules. It has a key focus on leveraging government spending to achieve economic outcomes.”
The Rules are the Government’s minimum expectations for public servants when spending public money. They cover the procurement lifecycle and support good practice behaviours and processes for planning, approaching the market and managing the contract.
Principal changes to the 5th edition of the Government Procurement Rules include:
- a new rule requiring agencies to include economic benefits to New Zealand in all procurements. There will be a minimum 10 percent weighting for evaluation purposes on economic benefit criteria
- strengthened accountability to maintain focus on the responsible and transparent use of public money
- making procurement policies and contract awards publicly available
- stronger requirements around setting up and running supplier panels, and secondary procurement.
NZGP will be hosting webinars and events for government agencies and other Rules users, to help them to implement the new Rules.
Procurement reboot helps Kiwi businesses – Beehive.govt.nz