A Waikato-based iwi social service provider came to us with strong community trust and decades of on-the-ground mahi — but no procurement experience and no track record with government agencies. They'd been shut out of contracting rounds before, not for lack of capability, but because the process itself was unfamiliar and the relationships weren't there.

Our approach

We started with a procurement strategy engagement — mapping where their existing service delivery lined up with MSD's employment support priorities, and building their readiness before a single tender was written. When the right RFP opened, we led the bid response, translating their community track record into the evidence agencies needed to see. Once awarded, we set up a monitoring and reporting rhythm so delivery stayed on track from day one.

The outcome

Eighteen months after their first strategy session with us, they hold a five-year, multi-year employment support contract with MSD — reaching over 400 whānau a year. It's also opened the door to further conversations with other agencies, on the strength of that track record.