By Vlad Nadymov Updated 2 min read
Data as of
New Zealand government agencies advertise their tenders on one free site. Ministries, Crown entities, Health New Zealand and many councils use GETS, and the Government Procurement Rules set the standards. The 5th edition of the Rules changed how bids are scored. This guide explains GETS, the new Rules and the bid.
GETS
GETS (gets.govt.nz) is the Government Electronic Tenders Service, run for New Zealand Government Procurement in MBIE. With a free account you can:
- search open tenders and award notices;
- receive notifications for your UNSPSC categories;
- download documents, ask questions and submit responses.
The 5th edition of the Government Procurement Rules
The 5th edition applies since 1 December 2025:
- Contracts over NZD 100,000 include a 10% weighting for economic benefit to New Zealand.
- Agencies apply a new economic benefit test and report on it.
- 24 rules that put obstacles in the way of businesses were removed.
- The Rules apply in full to goods, services and refurbishment over NZD 100,000 and to construction over NZD 9 million.
Requirements for government contractors in New Zealand (2026)
What a company needs to register, bid and sign a public contract in New Zealand. Checked on against the sources at the end of this section.
| Procurement law | Government Procurement Rules, 5th edition (in force since 1 December 2025), issued by Cabinet and administered by New Zealand Government Procurement (MBIE); trade agreement obligations such as the WTO GPA |
|---|---|
| Regulator | New Zealand Government Procurement (NZGP), Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment |
| E-procurement portal | GETS, the Government Electronic Tenders Service (gets.govt.nz) (www.gets.govt.nz) |
| Supplier registration | Register free on GETS to download tender documents, ask questions, receive notifications and respond to tenders. |
| Foreign companies | Foreign suppliers can bid. New Zealand is a party to the WTO GPA and to trade agreements with procurement chapters, which give covered suppliers access above the treaty thresholds. |
| Domestic preference | Since 1 December 2025, contracts over NZD 100,000 include a 10% weighting for economic benefit to New Zealand. |
| Language | English |
| Digital signature | Responses are submitted on GETS or as the tender states. |
| Thresholds | The Rules apply in full to goods, services and refurbishment contracts over NZD 100,000 and to construction contracts over NZD 9 million; agencies must advertise those on GETS. |
| Complaints | Raise concerns with the agency first; New Zealand Government Procurement can review complaints about how an agency applied the Rules. |
Documents to prepare before you bid in New Zealand
- GETS registration
- The response in the format of the request for tender, request for proposal or request for quote
- Information that shows the economic benefit to New Zealand, when the tender weights it
- Proof of capability, references and insurance that the tender asks for
What changed in 2025 and 2026
The 5th edition of the Government Procurement Rules applies since 1 December 2025: a new economic benefit test and 24 fewer rules.
Sources: NZGP: Government Procurement Rules (5th edition); GETS.
Foreign suppliers
New Zealand is a party to the WTO GPA and to trade agreements with procurement chapters. Covered suppliers have access above the treaty thresholds. The economic benefit weighting can favour suppliers that employ people or invest in New Zealand, so describe that value in the response.
Complaints
Raise the concern with the agency first. New Zealand Government Procurement can then review complaints about how the agency applied the Rules.
New Zealand government procurement in numbers
The charts use the GETS award notices that Sell to State indexes, 4,409 award records since November 2024. The Ministry of Education’s school infrastructure unit published the most awards since November 2025: 362. Orion New Zealand, Kāinga Ora and Health New Zealand follow.
Of the companies that won a contract in the period, 68% won exactly one.
Track New Zealand tenders with Sell to State
Sell to State indexes GETS award notices with the agency, the winner and the value, so you can search them with other countries and save the searches you need. Search New Zealand tenders, or read the guides for Australia, the United Kingdom and Canada.
