NZ government set up rigorous procurement process

The New Zealand government has set up a rigorous procurement process, as it looks to overhaul its information and communication technology (ICT) systems.

In a shake-up by tender worth $2 billion, prospective applicants will have to demonstrate how they will meet the security standards required.

Minister for Communication and Information technology, Steven Joyce, said the move would stop duplication and save taxpayer money.

“ICT is a $2 billion spend for the government, and any savings or efficiencies this move creates will make a real difference down the track. We want to ensure that taxpayer money is invested wisely and that we get value for money,” Joyce said.

Once it is up and running, the Government wwill be one of the first in the world to adopt an Infrastructure as a Service model.

"What this Government's doing is actually quite leading edge," said Microsoft NZ chief executive Paul Muckleston.

"[It's] one of only a couple globally at the moment who are actually doing infrastructure as a service, and that is going to be quite interesting because it represents an opportunity to provide better services to the [public]," he said.

New Zealand Information and Communication Technology Group chief executive Brett O’Riley said the Government tender had stringent requirements for security of the data stored in these centres.

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