FAQs


The FW FP Certifier and Auditor Appointment Programme

  • AsureQuality manages the certifier and auditor appointment process on behalf of councils as the Appointment Process Manager (APM). This includes management of:

    • the appointment application process, training services and on-farm practical assessments

    • application assessments and recommending applicants for certifier and auditor appointment to the council if an applicant meets the criteria for appointment

    • maintaining the national register of appointed certifiers and auditors

    • the quality review process for the appointment system

    • the continued practice requirements for certifiers and auditors

    • all disputes and complaints against certifiers and auditors.

  • Yes, you can be a certifier and an auditor. The requirements to become a certifier and an auditor are different and these are explained in the relevant areas of this website. Please note that you cannot audit a freshwater farm plan that you certified. Reduced fees apply if undertaking both the auditor and certifier appointment programme.

  • If you fail any part of the appointment process, you will be directed to places where you can upskill and improve. You can then reapply after completing the necessary requirements. For more information, refer to the costs section.

  • No, once appointed certifiers can certify a freshwater farm plan on any type of farm in the region(s) that they are appointed in. However, a certifier can choose to offer their services only to a particular type or types of farms if they feel that is where they will provide the best quality of service.

  • If you wish to work in multiple regions, you only need to undertake the national training once. However, you will be required to complete regional training related to each region you intend to work in. The practical assessment only needs to be undertaken once (i.e. not in each region in which you intend to work.)

  • It is the expectation that certifiers and auditor manage their risks as independent contractors on farms.

  • No not yet but many sector and industry professionals are looking to support farm operators to develop their plan.

  • These are great questions, but depend on your business goals, time it takes you to undertake the work and what you charge.

  • The Ministry for Environment (MfE) wishes to ensure appropriate numbers of certifiers and auditors are appointed and available to certify and or audit freshwater farm plans, to support effective implementation of the freshwater farm plans.

    To support this, MfE is looking into options to assist people to enter the farm plan certifier and auditor appointment process.

    MfE will provide further updates on available options to support potential applicants later this year.

The Application Process

  • Make sure you read about the certifier competencies, professional conduct standards and the Ministry for the Environment Certification or Auditor guidance.

  • No, all applicants must complete the training.

  • Yes. Strong farm systems knowledge with an understanding of contaminants specific to freshwater and freshwater ecosystem and relevant freshwater legislation and regulations is required.

  • You will need to contact the tertiary institute where you completed your qualification(s).

The Training

  • No, training is not sector specific. It is expected that certifiers have this existing knowledge. The training focuses on the role of the certifier in certifying freshwater farm plans.

  • The training will not cover all the required knowledge to be an effective freshwater farm plan certifier or auditor. It is expected that you have prior knowledge of:

    • farm systems (you do not need to have specialist knowledge on all farming systems, but a basic level of understanding would be expected)

    • contaminants in a farming system and how they impact freshwater and freshwater ecosystems

    • an understanding of with all freshwater regulatory documents and instruments

    • concepts of Treaty of Waitangi, Te ao Māori, Te Mana o Te Wai, and sites or species of cultural significance (you do not need to have specialist knowledge, but a basic level of understanding is expected – beginner level training will be provided).

  • Yes, all regional training is specific to that region and their CCCV. The national training does not need to be repeated.

  • National Training is a series of modules and assessments that are completed in your own time.

    Regional Training is managed by the Regional Council where you are applying. It is a combination of online, workshops or face to face training. Your Regional Council will communicate with you directly about their process and timeframes for the regional training.

  • It is recommended that National Training is 8-16 hours and Regional Training is 8-16 hours.

  • No. During these early stages, only those people that want to be appointed in the regions where the regulations apply can go into the appointment process.

  • National training consists of nine compulsory modules and one optional communication module. Modules are to be completed in order and once one is finished you will complete an assessment and can then progress to the next module.

    Each module assessment consists of a series of questions. The module contains the information you need to answer the assessment questions, so it is very important to read all the information in the module carefully before beginning the assessment. The pass rate required is 100% for each module and you have three attempts per module to achieve this. If after the third attempt you do not pass you will register a module fail. Your account is then locked, and you need to email us to request it is unlocked to continue the training. You can collect two module fails as you complete the training but if you get a third module fail your application will be declined.

  • The training is to be completed within 28 days of commencing.

  • Yes, in this case you may contact the AsureQuality team to request a re-attempt. If you continue to fail on the second attempt you may be required to complete a stand-down period of up to one week and may be charged an additional fee to re-take the training modules.

  • Regional training is managed by the Regional Council where you are applying. You will be transitioned from national training to regional training by AsureQuality. Keep an eye on your emails for information about this.

    The regional training is a combination of online modules as well as in-person training. Your Regional Council will communicate with you directly about their process and timeframes for the regional training.

  • AsureQuality will keep in touch with you throughout each stage of the process to communicate updates and progress. Once your application is approved and you move onto national training, you will be sent a log-in details and instructions on how to access national training. A similar process will happen for regional training where you will receive an email with instructions and next steps.

    Please remember to get in touch with us anytime if you need more guidance - farmplancertifiers@asurequality.com.

The Practical Assessment (certifiers only)

  • No. You are only required to undertake one practical assessment.

  • Once you have completed national and regional training successfully, you can undertake your practical assessment. You need to identify the farm you will do your assessment on, so it is suggested you do this early in the process.

  • This would be dealt with on a case-by-case basis. For a small error the practical assessor may recommend some further professional development or talk you through the issue. This would be followed up to ensure you have upskilled and could then be passed.

    If there are significant issues with your practical assessment, this would be referred to the technical manager at AsureQuality. The outcome could be a fail, or a plan may be put in place for you to reattempt the assessment.

The Recommendation and Appointment

  • Once you have passed your training and assessment, AsureQuality provides the relevant regional council with information about your application, national and regional training and practical assessment. If they agree with your appointment, they will let AsureQuality know and we will progress the appointment.

  • If you are applying to be a certifier and auditor, you will have two profiles on the national register so can tailor your profiles to your certifying and auditing services.

Ongoing Requirements

  • As a certifier, you will need to participate in mandatory ongoing training and calibration activities at both the national and regional levels. The time commitment for each session is no more than 3 hours, and these sessions occur four times a year.

  • There is no expiry date for your appointment as a Certifier, provided that you complete the compulsory continuous practice requirements as necessary.

  • Yes, regional councils have the authority to discontinue the appointment of a certifier or auditor. (more to be added here)

  • Yes, file reviews will be conducted to assess the proficiency and professional conduct of appointed Certifiers and Auditors, ensuring that quality standards are maintained.

  • There is a comprehensive complaints process. You will be kept informed the whole time of what the steps are. There will be more info about this available on this website soon.