Tradies - Are You Set Up? Bunnings Now Using eInvoices

stellavockins
May 20
6 min read

The smarter, faster, safer way to receive invoices from your biggest trade supplier is here in New Zealand. Here's why it matters and how to get started in minutes.

If you've got a PowerPass trade account at Bunnings, you've probably heard the buzz about eInvoicing. Well, the good news is — Bunnings New Zealand is now registered on the national eInvoicing network, and signing up could save you real time and real money on every purchase you make.

We know you'd rather be on the tools than fussing with paperwork. So we've put together everything you need to know: what eInvoicing actually is, why it's worth doing, and exactly how to get set up.

What Is eInvoicing?

eInvoicing isn't just sending a PDF by email — that's the old way. eInvoicing is the direct digital exchange of invoice information between your accounting software and your supplier's financial system. No email, no PDF, no manual data entry on either end.

It works through an international standard called Peppol (Pan-European Public Procurement Online), a secure global network now used in 32+ countries. In New Zealand, Peppol is administered by MBIE — the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment — which became a Peppol Authority back in 2019.

"eInvoicing enables a low-touch, error-free process that the current practice of emailing a PDF or scanning a paper invoice simply can't."

— Mark Wierzbicki, General Manager eInvoicing, MBIE

Think of it like direct banking versus posting a cheque. The invoice data flows straight into your accounting system — automatically, accurately, and securely.

Why Bunnings Matters for Tradies

Bunnings is one of the most recognisable names now registered on the eInvoicing network in New Zealand, alongside Spark, One NZ, Woolworths, Westpac, and OfficeMax. If you're running a trade account there — and most builders, sparkies, plumbers, and painters are — this is a big deal.

When Bunnings rolled out eInvoicing, they specifically targeted 30-day credit term tradies first. That's you. The invoices for your trade purchases will land directly in your accounting software — no chasing, no manual keying, no filing PDFs.

✅ Good News for Your Books

When your Bunnings invoices arrive as eInvoices, the data flows directly into your accounting software — supplier name, amounts, GST, line items, all of it — exactly as Bunnings sent it.

That means your bookkeeper spends less time chasing dockets, deciphering receipts, or correcting manually keyed figures. The numbers are right from the start, which makes reconciliation faster, your records cleaner, and your end-of-year a whole lot smoother.

The NZ Government estimates eInvoicing will deliver $4.4 billion in productivity savings to the economy over ten years — and for small trade businesses, a big chunk of that comes from cleaner, more accurate financial records.

The Big Benefits for Your Business

Here's what eInvoicing actually means for your day-to-day:

Get paid faster (when you're the one invoicing)

Government agencies are now required to pay eInvoices within 5 business days. That's a massive improvement over the 20–30-day waits many tradies put up with. As more businesses adopt eInvoicing, faster payment terms will become the norm across the board.

No more lost invoices

eInvoices go directly into your buyer's accounting system — they can't get buried in a junk folder, lost in a pile on someone's desk, or accidentally deleted. Every invoice has an audit trail.

Better protection against fraud

Invoice fraud and payment redirection scams are a real and growing risk for trade businesses. Because eInvoicing bypasses email entirely, there's no opportunity for someone to intercept your invoice and swap out your bank account details. Sender and receiver details are validated automatically through the secure Peppol network.

Less time on admin

No more manually typing up invoice details from a Bunnings docket into Xero or MYOB. The data arrives already formatted and ready to reconcile. That's time back in your week.

Closer to Home — Our Own Experience

We don't just recommend eInvoicing to our clients — we use it ourselves. In fact, Count Me In Limited is one of the businesses featured in MBIE's own national eInvoicing case studies.

MBIE Featured Case Study · Small Business

Bookkeeper doesn't miss deciphering invoices

"No more headaches chasing up clients about confusing invoices."

— Stella Vockins, Bookkeeper & Tax Agent, Count Me In Ltd, Manawatu

We got on board with eInvoicing early because we could see immediately how much of a difference it would make — not just for our own admin, but for the accuracy of our clients' books. When invoice data arrives pre-populated and verified, there's simply less that can go wrong. No more squinting at faded dockets or chasing clients to confirm what a charge was for.

As your bookkeeper, that matters enormously. Clean data in means accurate records, correct GST, and a smoother end-of-year — which is better for everyone.

Read the full MBIE case study →

How to Get Set Up

For most tradies using Xero or MYOB, getting set up takes just a few minutes. Here's the process:

Make sure you have your NZBN
Your New Zealand Business Number (NZBN) is your unique identifier on the eInvoicing network — it's how the system knows where to send invoices. If you're a registered NZ company you already have one. Find yours at nzbn.govt.nz, or register for free if you don't have one yet.
Check your accounting software
If you useXero Business EditionorMYOB Business, you can send and receive eInvoices right now, for free — eInvoicing is already built in. If you use another platform, check the eInvoicing-ready software list at einvoicing.govt.nz or ask your software provider.
Register to receive eInvoices
Follow your software provider's instructions to register on the Peppol network. In Xero or MYOB this is a simple toggle in your settings. You'll need your NZBN handy. Once registered, you'll appear in the national directory of eInvoicing-capable businesses.
Add Bunnings' NZBN to your contacts
To send eInvoices to a business, you need their NZBN. You can find Bunnings' NZBN in the registered businesses list at einvoicing.govt.nz (an updated Excel list is published monthly). Add it to the Bunnings contact record in your accounting software.
Let Bunnings know you're set up
Contact your Bunnings Trade rep or PowerPass account manager and let them know you're registered for eInvoicing and want to start receiving your invoices electronically. Give them your NZBN so they can send eInvoices directly to you.
Done — wait for your first eInvoice
Your accounting software may notify you when it arrives. The invoice data will be pre-populated and ready to approve. No more manual entry required.

🔑 Quick Tip: Connect Once, Trade With Many

Once you're on the Peppol network, you're not just set up for Bunnings — you can exchange eInvoices with any of the 55,000+ NZ businesses already registered, including Woolworths, Westpac, OfficeMax, Spark, and One NZ.

It's the digital equivalent of getting broadband — one connection, endless possibilities.

What If I Don't Use Xero or MYOB?

No worries. Head to einvoicing.govt.nz and check the eInvoicing-ready software list. Many other platforms including TechOne, Oracle, SAP, and Microsoft are already eInvoicing capable. If your software isn't on the list, ask your provider when they plan to add it.

If you issue only a few invoices and don't use formal accounting software, there are also free eInvoicing online portals available with basic functionality. The website lists these too.

Is This Compulsory?

Not yet for most tradies — but the direction of travel is clear. The NZ Government has already mandated that government agencies must be able to send and receive eInvoices, and large suppliers (over $33 million annual revenue) must send eInvoices to government from 1 January 2027. Bunnings and other big trade businesses are pushing adoption because it saves them money too.

Getting set up now puts you ahead of the curve, and frankly, it's just the smarter way to run your invoicing. Over 55,000 NZ businesses are already registered and the number is growing fast.

Not a tradie? eInvoicing isn't just for the building industry — it's for any business that sends or receives invoices. Head to the Peppol directory at einvoicing.govt.nz to see if any of your existing suppliers are already registered. If they are, you could be receiving eInvoices from them right now. And if they're not — why not start the conversation? You might be surprised how many are already looking at making the switch.

As always, give us a ring or drop us an email if you'd like a hand getting set up — we're happy to walk you through it alongside your Xero setup. And if you're not sure your current accounting software is eInvoicing ready, that's a great conversation to have at your next review.