About Preten

New Zealand's leading procurement consultancy for small businesses

Our Journey

Preten was founded in 2011 by James Wilson, a former senior procurement advisor at the New Zealand Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment. Having witnessed firsthand the challenges that small businesses faced when competing for government contracts, James was determined to create a consultancy that would level the playing field.

The company began as a small office in Dunedin with just three consultants, focusing primarily on helping local businesses navigate the complex documentation requirements of government tenders. Within two years, Preten had established a reputation for enabling small enterprises to compete successfully against much larger corporations.

A turning point came in 2016 when we helped a small Christchurch-based construction company secure a significant post-earthquake rebuilding contract against several multinational competitors. This success story gained attention throughout New Zealand's business community and led to rapid growth for our consultancy.

In 2019, recognizing the increasing government focus on climate initiatives, we expanded our expertise to include specialized services for businesses in the environmental and sustainability sectors. This strategic decision positioned Preten at the intersection of two growing priorities in New Zealand's public procurement: supporting small businesses and advancing climate solutions.

Today, Preten employs a team of 15 specialists across various procurement disciplines, operating from our Dunedin headquarters while serving clients throughout New Zealand. We've maintained our core mission of empowering small businesses while continuously adapting our services to reflect evolving government priorities and regulatory frameworks.

Our Mission & Values

Our Mission

To empower small businesses across New Zealand to compete effectively for government contracts by providing expert guidance, strategic advice, and comprehensive support throughout the procurement process. We aim to create a more diverse and competitive supplier base for public sector projects while helping smaller enterprises grow through government opportunities.

Integrity

We maintain the highest ethical standards in all our operations. Our advice is always honest, transparent, and in the best interest of our clients, even when it means recommending against pursuing certain opportunities. We never compromise our values for short-term gains.

Excellence

We are committed to delivering exceptional quality in everything we do. Our team continuously updates their knowledge and skills to ensure we provide cutting-edge advice that reflects the latest developments in procurement practices, regulatory requirements, and market conditions.

Empowerment

Beyond helping clients win contracts, we focus on building their capacity to navigate procurement processes independently. We share our knowledge freely, develop our clients' internal capabilities, and celebrate their growing self-sufficiency as a measure of our success.

Innovation

We constantly seek new approaches to procurement challenges, embracing technology and creative thinking to give our clients an edge. We believe that small businesses often bring the most innovative solutions to public sector needs, and we help them articulate these advantages effectively.

Leadership Team

Meet the experts who guide our clients through complex procurement processes

James Wilson

Founder & CEO

With over 20 years of experience in government procurement, James previously worked as a senior advisor at the New Zealand Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment. His insider knowledge of government tendering processes has been instrumental in developing Preten's strategic approach to bid preparation.

Emma Chen

Compliance Director

Emma brings 15 years of commercial law experience to her role overseeing regulatory compliance. Her expertise ensures that all tender submissions meet the strict compliance requirements of New Zealand government contracts, helping clients avoid disqualification due to technical oversights.

David Taufa

Infrastructure Specialist

With a background in civil engineering and major project management, David leads our infrastructure sector consulting. He has personally helped clients secure over NZ$100 million in contracts for transportation, utilities, and public facilities projects throughout New Zealand.

Sophie Green

Climate Technology Expert

Sophie's background in environmental science and policy allows her to help businesses align their proposals with New Zealand's climate objectives. She specializes in renewable energy, carbon reduction, and sustainability-focused government contracts.

Our Achievements

Key milestones that showcase our impact on New Zealand's small business sector

1

Industry-Leading Success Rate

Our clients achieve a 68% success rate in government tenders, compared to the national average of just 23% for small businesses. This exceptional performance has established Preten as the go-to consultancy for companies serious about winning government contracts.
2

NZ$500+ Million in Secured Contracts

Since our founding, we've helped clients secure over half a billion dollars in government contracts across infrastructure, technology, services, and supplies. These contracts have enabled significant business growth, job creation, and economic development throughout New Zealand.
3

200+ Small Business Success Stories

We've worked with more than 200 small businesses across New Zealand, many of which had never previously secured government work. By providing these companies with the tools and knowledge to compete effectively, we've helped diversify the government supplier base.
4

Industry Recognition

Preten has received multiple awards for our contributions to small business growth, including the 2022 Business Excellence Award from the Otago Chamber of Commerce and the 2021 Small Business Champion Award from the New Zealand Small Business Network.
5

Climate Technology Leadership

Our specialized climate technology division has helped innovative environmental startups secure over NZ$75 million in government funding and contracts since 2019, supporting New Zealand's transition to a low-carbon economy while creating opportunities for local entrepreneurs.

Client Testimonials

What our clients say about working with Preten

Preten transformed our approach to government tenders. Their expert guidance helped us secure a major infrastructure contract that we previously thought was beyond our reach. Their attention to detail in documentation preparation and pricing strategy development was exceptional.

Sarah Johnson

CEO, Wellington Infrastructure Solutions

As a small technology company focused on renewable energy solutions, we struggled to break into government contracts until we partnered with Preten. Their deep understanding of climate technology requirements and compliance frameworks was invaluable.

Michael Thompson

Founder, GreenTech Solutions

The regulatory compliance consulting we received from Preten was exceptional. They identified several potential compliance issues in our tender approach that would have likely disqualified us. Their thorough knowledge of New Zealand procurement regulations saved us from making costly mistakes.

Rebecca Wilson

Operations Director, Auckland Medical Supplies

Ready to Win More Government Contracts?

Let our team of procurement experts help your business navigate the complexities of government tenders and increase your success rate.