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The Height team, in partnership with Watercare Services Limited, took-out the Social Impact of the Year Awards, hosted by the New Zealand Procurement Excellence Forum.
The awards recognise visionary people and teams who integrate social impact into procurement driving positive change throughout Aotearoa.
Height won the category for its partnership with Watercare Services Limited to instigate Ngā Kakau Paraha: Network of Watercare’s Māori Suppliers.
This project saw us support Watercare to create New Zealand’s first Māori supplier network that is integrated into a major procuring organisation. The innovative procurement process resulted in 15 Māori businesses being appointed to Ngā Kakau Paraha in early 2024.
Height’s Senior Project Manager, Emma Foulkes, says it’s a privilege to be recognised for this ground-breaking project.
“The Ngā Kakau Paraha initiative is a pioneering model of social procurement in New Zealand. It combines exceptional leadership with practical implementation providing a pathway for Māori businesses to secure work on large scale infrastructure projects.”
“We designed the procurement process to support the businesses in a range of ways, including running ‘demystifying the documentation’ sessions, having our bid team support with writing tenders, and connecting sub-contractors to main contractors kanohi ki te kanohi (face to face). This hands-on approach really had an impact. It was an absolute pleasure to work with Watercare Services on this vital mahi.”
Congratulations to the other finalists - Auckland Transport and Ara Poutama Aotearoa Department of Corrections.