In today’s fast-paced business world, organisations across Aotearoa are relying more than ever on a complex network of vendors and suppliers. After staff costs, the supply chain is often the biggest expense for any business. Yet, many companies struggle to manage these relationships effectively—leading to compliance risks, costly contract breaches, and underperforming suppliers.
While there are plenty of software tools out there, most fall short of delivering a truly integrated solution. What’s missing is a smart combination of technology and expert consulting to help businesses manage vendors and contracts strategically—not just administratively.
What’s the Gap?
The real gap lies in the disconnect between what businesses need and what most tools offer.
Many vendor and contract management platforms are either repurposed CRM systems or basic document storage tools. They might help with workflow automation or compliance tracking, but they often lack:
Real-time performance monitoring
Predictive analytics
Risk mitigation tools
Visibility into supplier costs, categories, and contract links
These tools tend to operate in silos, leaving businesses without the insights needed to make informed decisions. And without the internal expertise to build a robust vendor strategy, many organisations miss out on cost savings and expose themselves to unnecessary risk.
How Software + Consulting Can Close the Gap
A truly effective solution combines smart software with expert guidance.
On the tech side, imagine tools that offer:
AI-powered supplier analysis
Automated compliance alerts
Dynamic dashboards
Risk scoring models
Pair that with consulting support to:
Segment suppliers strategically
Optimise contract terms
Establish best-practice onboarding and performance management
This dual approach ensures the technology aligns with your business goals—and that you’re getting the most out of it.
What Happens When the Gap Is Closed?
Closing this gap can transform how your business manages suppliers and contracts.
Benefits include:
Lower operational risk
Better compliance
Cost efficiencies
Stronger supplier partnerships
With better visibility and analytics, you can negotiate smarter, spot underperformance early, and avoid supply chain disruptions. Plus, you’ll be able to scale your vendor strategy as your business grows or the market shifts.
We Don’t Know What We Don’t Know
There’s a real opportunity here for Kiwi businesses to rethink how they manage vendors and contracts. By combining advanced tech with expert consulting, you can turn supplier relationships into strategic assets that drive competitive advantage.
Start Small, But Start
It’s okay to start small. Begin by reviewing your current supplier and contract management setup. Understand your stakeholders’ needs, identify key risks, and prioritise what matters most.
Then, let’s work together to build a software solution that fits your business.
Ready to take the next step? Contact us today to book a consultation and explore how smarter vendor management can help your business thrive.
In today’s competitive business environment, every dollar saved through smart supplier management goes straight to your bottom line. In contrast, every extra dollar earned through sales only adds a fraction to your profit after costs. Yet, while many businesses invest heavily in Customer Relationship Management (CRM), Vendor Relationship Management (VRM) often gets overlooked—missing out on major savings, efficiency gains, and supplier-driven value.
At Total Utilities, we believe it’s time to flip the script. By taking a structured approach to VRM, Kiwi businesses can reduce costs, strengthen supplier relationships, and unlock long-term financial advantages.
Why Vendor Management Matters More Than Ever
While CRM is essential for growing revenue, VRM is just as critical for protecting and enhancing profit. Every dollar saved through better supplier management is a dollar earned—without the overheads.
Strong supplier relationships don’t just lead to better pricing. They also reduce operational risks, improve service levels, and create opportunities for innovation and collaboration. When you give vendor management the same attention as customer management, you’re not just running leaner—you’re running smarter.
Why Now is the Right Time for VRM
Vendor Relationship Management (also known as Supplier Relationship Management or SRM) is gaining momentum across Aotearoa and globally. If you haven’t embraced it yet, now’s the time.
VRM is about more than just managing contracts. It’s about using the right tools, processes, and insights to build stronger, more strategic partnerships with your suppliers. Done well, it helps you unlock value you didn’t even know was there—while reducing costs and improving resilience.
Cutting Costs Where It Counts
Suppliers often account for a significant portion of business expenses—sometimes more than internal costs. That’s why focusing on supplier relationships is one of the most effective ways to reduce spend.
Negotiate better pricing and terms
Access exclusive discounts and incentives
Reduce hidden costs from delays, errors, or inefficiencies
Loyal suppliers are more likely to go the extra mile—offering faster lead times, proactive service, and even value-added extras at no extra cost.
Maximising Value, Not Just Minimising Spend
Vendor management isn’t just about cutting costs—it’s about getting the most from every dollar you spend.
With the help of automation and data insights, you can:
Monitor supplier performance and risk
Identify trends and opportunities
Make proactive, informed decisions
When suppliers feel valued and engaged, they’re more likely to prioritise your business, offer competitive pricing, and collaborate on ways to improve performance.
The Bottom Line
Effective vendor management delivers more than operational efficiency—it delivers strategic and financial advantage. It means:
Lower costs
Better deals
Fewer surprises
Stronger competitive positioning
In short, it’s about working smarter—not harder—to drive profitability.
How Total Utilities Can Help
If this resonates with you, we’re offering a 50% discount on our vendor management consultancy services to the first 10 early adopters.
You’ll work directly with our in-house expert, Cathy Adams, to:
Optimise supplier relationships
Reduce costs
Maximise value
Ready to get started? Contact us now to claim your discounted consultation and take control of your vendor management strategy.
At Total Utilities, we’re always looking for smarter ways to help Kiwi businesses reduce energy costs and improve operational efficiency. One of our recent pilot programmes with a logistics company delivered exactly that—and the results were both immediate and eye-opening.
We installed Panoramic Power, a real-time energy monitoring system, at one of their trial sites. Within just 24 hours, the system flagged 74kW of continuous energy waste. The source? A few misconfigured control settings in the site’s Building Management System (BMS). The solution? A simple five-minute adjustment.
💡 The impact:
$10,000+ in annual savings, unlocked almost instantly
No need for major upgrades or capital investment
Immediate ROI from a low-risk pilot programme
But the story doesn’t end there.
As the system continued to monitor energy use, it uncovered a further $60,000 in potential savings—this time related to the site’s refrigeration system. These insights are now guiding the client’s decisions around future upgrades, maintenance priorities, and operational changes.
Why this matters:
This pilot proves the power of real-time energy visibility. It’s not just about identifying waste—it’s about enabling fast, cost-effective fixes that deliver measurable results. For businesses in logistics, manufacturing, or any energy-intensive sector, this kind of insight can be a game-changer.
Energy waste often hides in plain sight. Without the right tools, it goes unnoticed—and costs businesses thousands every year. With Panoramic Power, our clients gain the clarity they need to act quickly and confidently.
Ready to uncover hidden savings in your operations?
Whether you’re managing a single site or a nationwide network, we can help you take control of your energy use and unlock real value.
👉 Book a demo today and see how Panoramic Power can transform your energy strategy.
At Total Utilities, we’re passionate about helping Kiwi businesses navigate the complexities of energy procurement—especially in a market where prices continue to climb and certainty is hard to come by.
Recently, we partnered with a nationwide truck dealership and service agent facing a familiar challenge: a looming electricity contract renewal with a significant price increase from their existing retailer. With multiple sites across Aotearoa and rising operational costs, they needed a smarter, more strategic approach to energy management.
That’s where we came in.
Through a competitive tender process, market benchmarking, and strategic negotiation, we secured a new electricity contract with an alternate supplier—15% lower than the renewal offer. But the benefits didn’t stop there.
The Results:
✅ 15% reduction in electricity costs ✅ Improved contract terms and flexibility ✅ Enhanced long-term energy certainty across multiple locations
This outcome is a testament to the power of informed decision-making and proactive energy strategy. By leveraging market insights and our deep industry expertise, we helped our client not only save money but also gain confidence in their energy future.
Why It Matters:
Energy is often one of the top operating expenses for businesses, yet many organisations renew contracts without exploring alternatives. In today’s volatile energy landscape, taking a strategic approach can unlock significant savings and resilience.
If your business is approaching a contract renewal or simply wants to understand its energy options better, we’d love to kōrero. Whether you’re a single-site operator or a nationwide enterprise, we’re here to help you make smarter energy decisions.
📣 Let’s Talk
If your business is approaching a contract renewal, managing multiple sites, or simply wants to explore smarter energy options—now is the time to act. Reach out to Total Utilities for a no-obligation kōrero about how we can help you reduce costs, improve certainty, and future-proof your energy strategy.
Stay informed. Stay prepared. As New Zealand continues its transition to a low-carbon future, Total Utilities will keep bringing you the latest insights and opportunities to stay ahead.
In today’s climate-conscious world, businesses are under increasing pressure to reduce waste, cut costs, and operate more sustainably. That’s why we’re thrilled to share how Total Utilities helped a nationwide hotel group achieve a massive 38% reduction in waste and recycling costs—saving over $380,000 across their sites. 💰🌏
💡 The Challenge
Like many large organisations, this hotel group was facing rising waste management costs and inconsistent service across multiple locations. With dozens of sites nationwide, they needed a smarter, more unified approach to waste and recycling—one that delivered both financial savings and environmental benefits.
🔧 The Total Utilities Solution
We rolled up our sleeves and got to work, applying our proven methodology to deliver real results. Here’s how we did it:
✅ Improved Contract Pricing & Terms
We renegotiated waste service contracts to better align with the client’s operational needs. By leveraging our market insights and supplier relationships, we secured more competitive rates and flexible terms that made a real difference.
✅ Smarter Collection Methods
We analysed collection schedules, bin sizes, and waste types to identify inefficiencies. By rethinking how waste was collected—across general, recycling, and organic streams—we reduced unnecessary pickups and optimised service frequency.
✅ Targeted Operational Changes
We worked closely with site managers to implement practical changes in how waste was handled. One hotel alone saw a 58% cost reduction through smarter sorting, staff training, and better bin placement. That’s the power of operational insight.
🌱 Sustainability Meets Savings
This project is a prime example of how smart business decisions can drive both cost savings and sustainability outcomes. By reducing waste volumes and improving recycling rates, the hotel group not only saved money—they also reduced their environmental footprint.
At Total Utilities, we believe that better outcomes come from better decisions. Whether it’s energy, waste, water, or carbon, we help businesses make informed choices that deliver long-term value.
📞 Ready to Rethink Your Waste Strategy?
If your business is looking to cut costs, improve sustainability, and gain better control over waste and recycling, we’d love to help.
The Current State of Affairs and the Impact of Deferred Investments
Well, not that much sadly, but the optimist in me sees green shoots of regulatory progress, some generation development activity (at last), but a continued chorus of gas concerns from the choir of Generator/Retailers (gentailers) who benefit hugely from fossil fuel generation being the margin, price setting unit for spot prices.
Of course, mother nature plays her hand in New Zealand Electricity prices, increasingly so as we live with the outcome of deferred investment in new generation and the low level of attractiveness of New Zealand for new investment due to the market power exercised by a largely state owned incumbent generation sector.
Well, there have been some announcements that might ordinarily be cause for optimism; the formation of the Energy Competition Taskforce which brought together the three historically benign regulators in the Electricity Authority, the Commerce Commission and MBIE to address the mounting (mountain?) of evidence that New Zealand Electricity market isn’t delivering the outcomes we would expect for a nation so well-endowed in natural energy resources.
To their credit the task force has already implemented changes that might help, albeit at the margin with developments like adding super peak prices to the ASX energy futures market which has seen some improved liquidity and price disclosure across super peak products, and perhaps a lower peak/off-peak differential in pricing, though this may be more a reflection of increased fossil fuel pricing in off-peak periods. IE higher overall prices.
The task force has also announced a consultation on several potentially significant changes grouped as “level playing field measures”. The “proposed nondiscrimination obligations” would require Gentailers not to treat themselves substantially differently from their non-integrated competitors, or to treat different competitors substantially differently. Given the openness with which the vertically integrated incumbents have posted losses on retail while making record overall profits over the last few years this seems blindingly obvious, as a measure. It would see gentailers having to build a portfolio of internal transfer prices for hedges which would make it far more transparent for the regulators to assess hedge access (market power) issues.
Should this measure still not result in the market delivering competitive outcomes, a second measure sits behind this as a backstop, he proposed “virtual disaggregation measures” refers to splitting the flexible generation capacity of participants who exceed a certain market share into two components: a portion that would be required to be offered, and a portion that would be used by the participant as they see fit.
The Role of Government Dividends
It remains to be seen the extent to which the task force resists the inevitable strong lobbying against these measures from the incumbent players and if implemented how long it takes before we see a return to meaningful retail competition and real customer innovation.
My bet is that we will see all sorts of ballyhoo from the incumbents about how hard they are doing great, and of course, the elephant in the room is the dividends received by the government from their state-controlled gentailers, Genesis, Meridian and Mercury. I’m yet to see an economic analysis to support any assertion that the value of those dividends outweighs the value to our economy of cheap abundant energy delivered through an undistorted or workable efficient market….
However, the Q4 2024 MBIE Energy consumption Stats show that the current market isn’t working for Kiwi businesses with a 9% year-on-year fall in electricity demand from the industrial sector.
Some of this will no doubt be the closure of Winstone Pulp International and the Oji Fibre Solutions’ Penrose plants citing energy cost as a major factor in those decisions, and part is also likely the ramp down of Tiwai at Meridian’s request.
There was much heralding of the benefits to New Zealand of the new Tiwai deal, especially by Meridian:
“This is a fantastic outcome for New Zealand and the Southland region. It’s further proof that large industrial businesses can utilise New Zealand’s renewable energy advantage and create low carbon sustainable products, high value jobs and export dollars for our country.”
But now it would seem that it’s even better for New Zealand when Tiwai doesn’t run. Curious that!
Future Outlook
Another winter of extreme prices in 2025 poses yet another threat to consumer confidence in New Zealand’s electricity market, ultimately threatening the social license that incumbent generators and even distribution businesses have enjoyed for so long.
The reality is that in 2025, for perhaps the first time, grid supply companies may be facing the legitimate threat of substitution as New Zealand’s (and global) grid energy supply becomes more expensive than the delivered cost of rooftop solar for residential consumers.
Recommendations for Businesses
The same trends apply to supply for business consumers, I would go so far as to say that any business in New Zealand facing new supply costs should feel obliged to seek a quote on rooftop solar and battery.
The economics of rooftop solar in terms of delivered cost of energy will continue to improve as regulatory reforms evolve to incentivise consumers to participate in flexibility, and reward investment in distributed energy resources. While escalating grid and distribution costs are now locked in for the next five-year period we should expect to see this continue to increase. From a global perspective, New Zealand is no different to most nations looking to electrify their economies. According to Bloomberg New Energy Finance research, US$21 trillion dollars of grid investment is required to reach net zero emissions targets.
We can expect to see more and more businesses taking their destiny into their own hands as our incumbent grid suppliers seek to maximise returns from legacy assets against the improving economics of generation technologies that can generate energy at the point of consumption.
