Supplier diversity grows in Te Tairāwhiti

Despite a challenging year, the supplier diversity movement is making waves in Tairawhiti thanks to Manuhuia (Relationship Manager) Tui Babbington.

Tui joined the Amotai team in June and has gone on to establish a strong presence across the East Coast, hosting the first Amotai event in the region in September.

It was an impressive turnout with 40 business leads in attendance including government agencies, private sector, and local iwi. Tui says the engagement from the businesses was amazing to see. “It shows there is a real desire to focus on social procurement and businesses want to know more.”

One such business is the Tairawhiti Economic Action Plan Steering Group (TEAP), who asked Tui to meet with their team after connecting at the event. TEAP sets out the strategic priorities and actions for delivering economic transformation for the region, one of which is social procurement outcomes. Joined by Frae Cains (Capability Manager), Tui presented the work Amotai has been doing in this space and how they can work together to achieve TEAP’s social procurement outcomes.

“TEAP represents leaders from across government agencies, iwi and private sector in Tairawhiti and meeting with them was a great relationship building opportunity,” says Tui.

A core function of her role, relationship building has led to many key achievements in the last six months for Tui, one of which has been growing the Supplier database, an achievement Tui is extremely proud of.

Buyers want to work with Māori suppliers, but don’t know how to find them, Tui points out. “I’m thrilled I can help bridge that gap.”

Buyers eager to get on the supplier diversity waka include Hawkes Bay Regional Council, Hastings Council, Provincial Growth Fund (PGF) and local Iwi – all of whom Tui has been working with and connecting to Māori Supplier businesses.

Most recently, Tui has been working with PGF on tender contracts that have supplier diversity targets - one of which the Midway Surf Club has been secured by Amotai Supplier INA Contracting. Concrete contractors based in Gisborne; INA will be laying the foundation concrete for the surf club in the New Year.

“This is what I love about the job, working with both Buyers and Suppliers to create employment opportunities,” says Tui.

As the supplier diversity movement continues to gain momentum, on the ground support is more important than ever, says Ariana Paul, Amotai Manukura (General Manager).

“Tui has been a terrific addition to the team. Her incredible contribution and hard mahi in Tairawhiti has been outstanding.”