Inclusive Procurement in Action

“Mā te kimi ka kite, Mā te kite ka mōhio, Mā te mōhio ka mārama” 

Seek and discover. Discover and know. Know and become enlightened. 

Introduction

Procurement might be one of the most misunderstood-and underused-levers for change in Aotearoa. For many small and diverse businesses, especially Māori and Pasifika enterprises, accessing government contracts can feel like pushing through a locked door without a key.

That’s why Project Ue and Project Uaki, commissioned by WellingtonNZ and co-led by Te Ara Hiranga, were created: to transform procurement from a barrier into a bridge. Both reports make it clear - we don’t need more policy talk. We need real, practical, kaupapa-led solutions grounded in lived experience. 

From System Complexity to System Change

The word procurement itself is intimidating. But behind that kupu is a system of buying goods and services that impacts nearly every part of our region - from infrastructure builds to catering contracts. 

And yet, many businesses with the right skills are excluded from the process. Why? The barriers are often opaque: unclear requirements, inconsistent support, risk-averse buyers, and fragmented tools. 

Project Ue and Project Uaki challenge this status quo with a simple yet powerful idea: 

Procurement should be a platform for community wellbeing - not just a compliance function. 

The Call to Action: Let’s Shift the Dial

Project Ue developed a suite of five practical tools designed to support diverse businesses across the procurement lifecycle. Project Uaki took this even further - aligning the tools with a strategic regional framework and embedding the concept of the Warrant of Readiness (WOR). 

Together, these projects offer a roadmap to procurement that is: 

• More inclusive
• More transparent
• More efficient
• More aligned with community outcomes 

What’s in this Series?

Over the coming weeks, we’ll unpack the tools, the stories, and the strategies that emerged from this kaupapa. You’ll learn about: 

• How relationship-building (whakawhanaungatanga) improves procurement outcomes
• Why the WOR could be a game-changer for small businesses
• The need for real-time impact tracking and post-contract learning
• Practical steps councils and buyers can take today 

Who Is This For?

• Māori and Pasifika business owners looking to engage with public procurement
• Local authorities and procurement teams seeking better outcomes
• Policy makers, economic developers, and ecosystem builders
• Anyone committed to building a more resilient and equitable Wellington region 

The Big Picture

A $1 million contract awarded to a Māori, Pasifika or local business can deliver more than economic value. According to the reports, it can return between $3 - $4.60 for every dollar spent - through job creation, local income retention, and reduced benefit dependency. That’s not just smart procurement. That’s kaupapa procurement.