Government publishes invoice payment times for over 100 agencies for the first time

Published: 28 July 2025

In a significant step toward greater transparency and faster payments, the New Zealand Government has published invoice payment times for over 100 government agencies on the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) website. This is the first time payment performance data has been released for the wider public sector, beyond just central government departments.

This follows the introduction of new Government Procurement Rule 51A, which came into effect on 1 January 2025. The rule requires over 100 government agencies to pay 90% of domestic trade invoices within 10 business days. From 1 January 2026, this target will increase to 95%. Additionally, eInvoices will be required to be paid within 5 business days.

"The Government has been clear that government agencies need to prioritise making prompt payments to suppliers. Previously, we only had data available for around 30 central agencies – but now more than triple that number are required to report on how they are meeting their obligations" says Michael Alp, General Manager New Zealand Procurement.

January to March 2025 results show a strong performance

The results, covering January to March 2025, show that government agencies are meeting or exceeding the 10-day payment target. This is a promising sign that agencies are embedding prompt payment practices into their operations. It also reflects the growing use of digital tools — particularly eInvoicing — to streamline invoice processing and reduce delays.

Why faster payments matter

Government agencies spend over $50 billion annually – around 20% of New Zealand’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Faster payments improve cashflow for Kiwi businesses, reduce administrative burden, and support a more resilient economy.

eInvoicing plays a critical role in this transformation. By enabling invoices to be exchanged directly between accounting systems, eInvoicing reduces manual handling, speeds up approvals, and helps ensure suppliers are paid on time. As more agencies and businesses adopt eInvoicing, the benefits will continue to grow – especially for small businesses that rely on steady cashflow.

Have you switched to eInvoicing yet?

Government payment times(external link) — Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment

Advice for small and medium businesses

Advice for large businesses

Advice for government agencies