New Zealand accelerates implementation of B2G e-invoicing
New Zealand has published the fifth edition of its public procurement regulations, which include major changes, especially regarding electronic invoicing.
This document changes the rules about payment times and e-invoicing capability. According to the updates, public bodies must make sure that, as of January 1, 2027, large suppliers—those with annual revenues over $33 million—issue PEPPOL electronic invoices to government entities.
The new rules also say that suppliers with public contracts must offer their subcontractors payment terms that are as good as the terms they receive from the government itself.
These new rules are in addition to the current requirements, which already require public bodies to pay all invoices within 10 business days. Starting January 1, 2026, they must also pay invoices within 5 business days if they are electronic.
Status of e-invoicing in New Zealand: from ANZ PEPPOL BIS to PINT A-NZ
The adoption of e-invoicing through the PEPPOL network plays a pivotal role in the international digitalisation process. Due to its extensive acceptance, continuous improvement and the benefits it offers, it has considerably enhanced business operations in Oceania.
In early 2023, OpenPeppol introduced PEPPOL PINT, a voluntary specification that became mandatory as a result of a decision made by the PEPPOL Authority. Examples of countries that have implemented PEPPOL PINT include Japan, Singapore and Malaysia.
In a similar progression, the New Zealand PEPPOL authorities evaluated the potential for transitioning from the extant specification, ANZ PEPPOL BIS 3.0, to a novel specification (PINT A-NZ). This prospective specification is anticipated to become the mandatory version within a two-year timeframe.
According to the New Zealand PEPPOL authority, the transition was to take place in three phases: preparation, implementation, and withdrawal.
The preparation phase commenced in December 2023 with the publication of the A-NZ specification. During this phase, stakeholders will be afforded the opportunity to review the proposed changes and prepare for the adoption of the new specification, while the ANZ PEPPOL BIS 3.0 specification remains mandatory.
In the second phase, the implementation phase, which commenced in April 2024, the responsibility for the PINT A-NZ search and forwarding capability falls upon the issuers. At the conclusion of this phase, all receivers will be required to register in order to receive the PINT A-NZ specification.
The final phase of the transition, the retirement phase, is scheduled to commence in April 2025. By this date, all users must be able to exchange e-invoices in New Zealand with the PINT A-NZ specification, as it will be the only one supported for sending and receiving invoices and credit notes.
What is the difference from one specification to another?
The main alterations between ANZ PEPPOL BIS 3.0 and PINT A-NZ consist of new specifications and values for business process identifiers, as well as the addition of a new document type identifier scheme with the moniker of the wildcard scheme.
Moreover, business rules have been updated, with new rule identifiers being introduced, while some have been streamlined or eradicated altogether. Additionally, rules that were once classified as "warning" severity level have been abolished.
