The Construction Sector Accord has published new guidance to support government buyers and industry suppliers in
applying broader outcomes in construction procurement.
Broader outcomes are the additional benefits that can be achieved by the way a service, project or goods are produced or
delivered. These outcomes can be social, environmental, cultural or economic benefits that deliver long-term public
value for New Zealand.
The guides will help buyers and suppliers better understand what broader outcomes are, why they are important, how to
embed them into government procurement and tender documents, and what impact they have on tender evaluation. The Accord
is proud to publish the first version of the guidance and looks forward to working with the sector to regularly update
the guides to support the needs of the construction industry.
In October 2018, the Government recognised that its procurement activities offer a unique opportunity to achieve broader
cultural, economic, environmental and social outcomes for Aotearoa New Zealand. These outcomes are incorporated into the Government Procurement Rules(external link).
The construction sector alone contributed $17 billion to the country’s GDP in 2020 and employs more than 200,000 New
Zealanders. Alison Murray, Director of Construction Procurement Transformation for the Construction Sector Accord, says
there are significant opportunities in the sector that go beyond constructing new works.
“The workforce needs 76,000 more staff, construction waste contributes to 50% of what is sent to landfill each year and
less than 18% of the construction-related workforce are women,” says Murray.
“By embedding broader outcomes into construction projects, these opportunities in our sector can help create a higher
performing industry for a better New Zealand.”
Government agencies and construction companies across the country are already making broader outcomes a key part of
their projects.
Whangarei District Council and its construction partner, Canam, embedded broader outcomes at the outset of the Council’s
Civic Centre project. The $48 million project was recently announced as a Beacons Case Study due to its innovative
procurement approach that promotes community objectives, including the use of local companies and training opportunities
for the region’s workforce.
As a result of this approach, 200 jobs have been created in the region for the project – 80% of those are in the local
area, 25% are apprentices and trainees, and 20% of the workers on site are female.
“Through our Beacons programme we’re seeing many agencies and businesses making a huge difference to our sector by
embedding broader outcomes into their projects,” says Murray. “We hope this guidance helps others across the
construction industry better understand these outcomes and do the same.”
The guides will be updated regularly to support the needs of the construction sector.