FAQs

The FW FP Certifier and Auditor Appointment Programme

Freshwater Farm Plan system changes / Government review

  • The Government has announced a pause to the freshwater farm plan (FWFP) system to ensure that it is pragmatic and cost effective for farmers. Farmers will not be required to submit a freshwater farm plan for certification while changes to the system are underway. The certifier and auditor appointment programme remains open for applicants, with national training available online.

    However, before you apply, please note that the availability of regional training and practical assessments varies between regions. Depending on the situation in your region, you may not be able to proceed to the appointment stage. Please read the latest updates here and contact your Regional Council for further information.

  • Whilst there is still uncertainty at present, we know that the Government has signalled that FWFPs are a key tool to improve freshwater outcomes and that a robust system that builds trust and confidence for all stakeholders will be required. We are confident that a certifier and auditor appointment process provides a sound capability assessment and base of knowledge for those working in the future freshwater farm planning system. 

    While we await further information on how the Government review will affect the certifier and auditor appointment programme, you have several options. You can:  

    • Take a wait and see approach. Your application remains open and valid, and any deadlines to complete training do not apply. 

    • Continue working through your training. Please note that the availability of regional training and practical assessments varies between regions – contact your Council for more information. If regional training is not currently being offered in your area, you may switch your application to another region where training is available. (Note that you would then be appointed to work in the region where you have completed your regional training).

    • Withdraw and receive a pro-rated refund for the unused portion of your training.  

    If you would like to talk through your options, please email farmplancertifiers@asurequality.com. 

  • No. We are taking a flexible approach while we await further information, and no deadlines will apply.  

  • Yes - your application remains valid and active unless you advise AsureQuality otherwise. You do not need to do anything.  

  • You have a few options:  

    • You can continue to wait – your application remains open and valid. 

    • You can withdraw and receive a pro-rated refund for the unused portion of your training.  

    • You can switch your application to another region where training is progressing. Note that you would be appointed to work in the region where you have completed your regional training.

    If you would like to talk through your options, please email farmplancertifiers@asurequality.com. 

Working as a FWFP Certifier or Auditor

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • There are a number of variables.  They include your own personal work rate and as a rural professional, the rate you choose to charge farmers and growers.  The amount of work available will vary from region to region.  However, currently most farmers and growers are required to submit a Freshwater Farm Plan within 18 months of the Regulations taking effect in their catchment.

  • 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.

The Application Process

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

  • 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.

  • 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.)

  • 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.

    Please contact us on farmplancertifiers@asurequality.com for more information.

  • No, all applicants must complete the training.

  • 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.

  • Usually, training is to be completed within 28 days of commencing, however we are currently taking a flexible approach while the Government review is undertaken.

  • 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.

    While we await further information on the Government review of freshwater farm plan system and what this may mean for the certifier and auditor appointment process, the status of regional training and practical assessments varies between each area. Please read the latest update here.

  • 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 only need to undertake one practical assessment. However, practical assessments are not required in every region, so if you are initially appointed in a region that does not require a practical assessment, you would need to complete one before you could extend your practise to a region that does require an 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.

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.