New Zealand Government Procurement (NZGP) is calling on public sector procurement professionals to participate in the 2026 Procurement Workforce Survey, to help build a deeper understanding of the country’s procurement capability and future workforce needs.
The survey, which launched on 2 July and runs until 7 August, is open to everyone working in procurement across New Zealand’s public service, with NZGP encouraging participants to share it with colleagues to improve representation.
The survey is voluntary and should take about 15-20 minutes to complete, with managers advised to allow extra time for additional questions.
While the inaugural survey, conducted in 2025, provided valuable baseline insights, NZGP says this year’s focus is on capturing a broader cross-section of practitioners.
“The results will support better planning, investment and capability development across the system. In short, it helps make sure decisions are based on experience, not assumptions.”
Insights from last year’s survey highlighted several workforce trends, revealing nearly 70 percent of respondents entered procurement during the middle of their careers.
Highlighting the need for targeted procurement training to support those transitioning into the field mid-career, the report also found ethnic diversity remains low, particularly among Māori and Pasifika peoples.
Respondents also identified growing demand for skills in areas such as artificial intelligence, procurement technology, innovation and market analysis, while pointing to future recruitment pressures across many agencies.
Just over two-thirds (42 percent) said they expected to need between one and four additional full-time equivalents, with 35 percent predicting the need for five or more. The majority of hires (70 percent) came from outside the organisation itself.
Elsewhere, remuneration was the most valued factor, particularly among mid-career professionals, followed by supportive management, positive workplace culture and work-life balance.
By expanding participation in 2026, NZGP aims to generate a more representative picture of the profession that can guide capability initiatives and ensure procurement leaders have stronger data to support workforce development across government.
