Assurance Programme Design
We design, implement, and deliver quality assurance programmes that ensure quality and consistency. With independent auditing and over 20 years of experience in design and delivery, our clients get peace of mind their programmes are the best they could be.
We work with you to tailor a programme to meet your specific needs and deploy our digital smarts to make it comprehensive, yet straight-forward and practical.
- Quality Assurance Systems: We offer comprehensive services that include reviewing, refining, and deploying quality programmes to meet industry standards.
- IT Systems: We integrate electronic data capture, reporting systems, dashboards, and apps to enhance business processes, providing improved decision-making and operational efficiencies.
Contact us to find out how we can help build customised assurance programme that instils confidence in your operations, products, and brand.
Our Approach to Assurance Programme Design
Industry Collaboration:
Collaborating with industry stakeholders to identify critical product and service features that drive value for customers, consumers, and international markets.
Quality Standard Development:
Creating a comprehensive industry quality standard that translates market access requirements into measurable and auditable assessment points.
Electronic Audit Tools:
Developing electronic audit checklists and assessment platforms to efficiently capture and report compliance and best practice.
Training Programmes:
Offering training programmes to equip the industry to meet the established standards.
Qualified Audit Team Deployment:
Training and deploying the QCONZ audit team to assess participants against the standard.
Capability-Building Initiatives:
Implementing capability-building initiatives to address any gaps in compliance.
Certificates of Compliance:
Generating certificates of compliance based on QCONZ’s stellar reputation.
Specialist Areas
We prioritise the well-being of animals by creating safe, clean, and stimulating environments where they can thrive. With deep expertise in best practices and a thorough understanding of the Animal Welfare Act, we contribute to the care and welfare of animals across the primary sector. Our reputation is built on respect from governmental regulators, farmers, and rural professionals alike.
By partnering with us, we help you maintain the highest standards of animal care.
QCONZ develops and audits environmental systems.
We are committed to supporting the development of environmental systems and providing independent audits that help to safeguard our natural resources. We take our responsibility to preserve the environment seriously, ensuring that future generations can enjoy its benefits.
We help industry organisations protect their environmental reputation by crafting best-practice audit solutions that are both economically viable and environmentally sustainable.
How we support environmental protection:
- Environmental Programme Standards Verification:
We verify that producers meet the environmental standards set by quality programmes. - Certification for Environmental Credibility:
We provide certification after successful audits, giving farmers a stamp of environmental credibility. - Industry Reputation Enhancement:
By providing independent audit services for environmental programmes, we enhance the industry’s reputation, earning environmental credibility and consumer trust.
We understand that food safety is crucial to the primary sector’s success. We specialise in helping businesses implement auditable food safety systems that ensure quality from the paddock to the plate.
With over 25 years of experience, we have assessed more on-farm milk quality systems in Australasia than any other organisation. Our expertise extends to supporting milk processors in implementing quality systems and assisting farmers in identifying and resolving on-farm milk quality issues.
We are also proud to be a preferred provider supporting international dairy farming aid to developing nations, with a focus on milk quality and food safety throughout the entire supply chain.
We offer:
- Extensive knowledge of milk quality systems and food safety.
- Ability to develop sector-wide best-practice standards and guidelines that are auditable.
- Customisable digital data capture systems and reporting.
- Nationwide team of trained auditors.
- In-house eLearning development capability ready to support system roll-out and sector upskilling.
Services:
- Milk quality audits
- Milk quality tracebacks
- Milk cooling verifications
- Milk inhibitory substance testing
- Mastitis management
- Milk testing – inhibitory substances and detergent residues
- Water quality sampling
- Farm dairy approvals
- Biosecurity audits
We help farmers streamline their milking process, reducing time spent in the shed and improving overall productivity. Why does it matter? Because reduced milking time translates to lower labour costs, better lifestyles, and more time for cows in the paddock, which can boost production.
We focus on maximising your existing shed’s potential without the need for costly overhauls. Our expert team will guide you through:
1. Efficiency Measurement:
Learn how to measure your current milk harvesting efficiency to identify areas for improvement.
2. Strategic Prioritisation:
Prioritize areas where you’ll get the best returns for your farm, ensuring a cost-effective approach.
3. Routine Refinement:
Refine your milking routine and techniques to enhance overall efficiency.
4. Machine Settings Optimisation:
Understand the adjustments needed for optimal machine settings and configuration.
We are dedicated to safeguarding New Zealand against the threat of unwanted pests and diseases. With over 40 years of collective experience in biosecurity, our senior management team is well-equipped to tackle these critical challenges.
Our Biosecurity Experience:
1. Proactive Industry Response
Our team actively participated in the Government led Rapid Industry Response preparedness training as part of New Zealand’s commitment global biosecurity. This response was pivotal in averting potential implications for market access.
QCONZ is an active member of the Biosecurity Business Pledge, a partnership that aims to help all New Zealand businesses take a proactive approach to their biosecurity.
2. Biosecurity Management and Education
Using our expertise, we successfully developed and delivered on-farm Biosecurity Training. This initiative has helped farmers address the immediate challenge faced due to M. Bovis and also built awareness and resilience within the industry.
We are an MPI-approved training provider for Transitional Facility biosecurity training. We offer an MPI-approved online Accredited Person course where APs learn how to safely receive, inspect, and devan imported sea containers – helping protect New Zealand from pests and diseases. This is a cost-effective and convenient way for APs to do their Accredited Person training. Learn more here
What Sets QCONZ Apart?
Knowledge and Experience:
Our team brings extensive knowledge to the table, ensuring you benefit from a wealth of experience.
High-Quality Service and Best-Practice Solutions:
We consistently deliver top-notch service, offering solutions that adhere to industry best practices.
Brand, Product, and System Confidence:
We enhance confidence in your brand, products, and systems through meticulously designed assurance programmes.
Customer-Centric Approach:
We listen to our customers’ needs, fostering lifelong partnerships built on understanding and collaboration.
Qualified and Accredited Team:
With a team of over 50 qualified auditors, we are well-versed in legislation and regulations within the primary industry.
Nationwide Reach:
Completing over 40,000 on-farm visits annually across New Zealand, we ensure our services are accessible nationwide.
Efficiency and Sustainability:
We maximize efficiency and reduce carbon footprint by combining multiple audits into a single visit.
Innovative Technology for Real-Time Reporting:
Our electronic audit and reporting systems enhance efficiency, providing real-time reports.
Responsive Support Team::
Our agile, solutions-focused support team promptly address your needs.
Embracing Ongoing Learning:
We are committed to ongoing learning, which ensures our practices are constantly improving and best in class.
Accreditations
- ISO 9001:2015 certified – We are audited annually by Telarc to ensure our internal Quality Management Systems are robust and meet this international standard.
- ISO 45001:2018 certified – We are audited annually by Telarc to ensure our internal occupational health and safety management systems are strong, effective, and aligned with this international standard.
- ISO 17020:2012 accredited inspection body – We deliver trusted compliance and quality assurance solutions across New Zealand as an MPI-recognised agency, providing Farm Dairy Assessments, RMP verifications for chicken and egg production, Official Assurance Verification for egg export, and Food Act verifications for National Programme and Template Food Control Plans (limited to horticulture and logistics). Our processes are audited annually by IANZ to ensure ongoing compliance and excellence.
- ISO 17065 accredited certification body – We are accredited by JAS-ANZ to the ISO 17065 standard. Our scope of accreditation includes the Synlait ‘Lead with Pride’ programme, NZFAI ‘NZFAP’ – New Zealand’s National Farm Assurance Programme, GLOBALG.A.P. Integrated Farm Assurance Scheme (GGIFA), and NZGAP-Global.
Learn more about our accreditations.
Further Information
Want to know more about our audit services and how we can help drive the success and sustainability of your operation?