by suppliers. A disappointing observation is that agencies quickly imposed the Supplier Code of Conduct from PR2019 (thereby potentially putting more obligations and risk onto suppliers) but did little to change their own behaviours or work to their new Charter. Now with the introduction of new Rule 18A, the five percent quota, and the political weight (and risk) of election pledges, we might finally see Broader Outcomes being embraced properly. And if this were to happen, all NZ companies will see the benefit. Nothing would make this author happier than seeing this improve. The Productivity Commission recently noted: “The Government’s new 5% target for the number of public service contracts awarded to Māori businesses is a great start. To achieve its full potential will require deliberate action to build capability on both sides of the procurement equation. This means providing culturally-appropriate support to Māori businesses to participate in government procurement, as well as Line of Defence
training staff in procuring agencies.” Finally, last month I attended an event run by the Costume and Textile NZ Association. One of the speakers presented on rare and special Taniko woven cloaks gifted to various envoys from the three Captain Cook voyages. This weaving technique and the cloaks created were an important part of the story telling of their communities. In speaking about how much we have to learn from both the weaving techniques and the respect signified by the gifts, the presenter shared this whakataukī (proverb) written by Ngai Tahu Kaumatua, Kūkupa Tirikatene: E kore e taea te whenu kotahi ki te raranga i te whāriki kia mōhio tātou ki ā tātou. Mā te mahi tahi ō ngā whenu, mā te mahi tahi ō ngā kairaranga, ka oti tenei whāriki. I te otinga me titiro tātou ki ngā mea pai ka puta mai. Ā tana wā,
me titiro hoki ki ngā raranga i makere nā te mea, he kōrero anō kei reira. The tapestry of understanding cannot be woven by one strand alone. Only by the working together of strands and the working together of weavers will such a tapestry be completed. With its completion let us look at the good that comes from it. In time we should also look at those stitches which have been dropped, because they also have a message. This whakataukī perfectly encapsulates the benefits and the learnings to be gained by better integrating these collaborative contracting philosophies and more Maori and Pasifika businesses into our government supply chains and, importantly, how much we have to learn from each other. For detail on the recent Procurement Rule changes and Broader Outcomes progress, visit the Defsec website www. defsec.net.nz 33
