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Totika Pre-Qualification Support

Tōtika Pre-Qualification Support

We prepare your evidence, build or strengthen the health and safety systems the assessment requires, and guide you through the submission process. Tōtika is more in-depth than SiteWise, and we handle the complexity so you do not have to.

Reuben Brooker, Lead Consultant · Last updated: September 2026
Tōtika is New Zealand's national contractor health and safety prequalification framework, overseen by CHASNZ. It gives contractors a single, recognised assessment that multiple clients can accept, replacing the need for repeated prequalification with different buyers. It is now required or accepted by NZTA, Watercare, Wellington Water, and many councils across New Zealand.
Tōtika prequalification, handled for you
Tell us about your business and we will scope the work and provide a fixed quote.
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Tōtika Categories

Your category determines the depth of assessment, the cost, and how often you renew. It is based on your business size, the type of work you do, and the value of contracts you tender for.

Category Typical business Assessment validity
S (Sole Trader) One-person operations 2 years
Category 1 Small businesses, lower-value contracts 2 years
Category 2 Medium businesses, higher-value contracts, or high-risk work 1 year
Category 3 Larger operations, very high-value contracts, principal contractor roles, or very high-risk work 1 year

If you are not sure which category applies to you, tell us and we will work it out with you before any work begins.

How Tōtika Differs from SiteWise

Both are prequalification schemes, but they work differently and are accepted by different buyers.

  Tōtika SiteWise
Overseen by CHASNZ (Construction Health and Safety NZ) Site Safe New Zealand
Assessed through Approved member schemes such as SHE Pre-Qual and PREQUAL Site Safe directly
Depth More in-depth, especially at Category 2 and 3 Lighter assessment across 13 sections
Scoring 0 to 4 scale. "Performing" (3) is the standard. "Developing" means requirements not fully met. Percentage-based. Green (75%+), Gold (90%+).
Required by NZTA, Watercare, Wellington Water, many councils Many main contractors, some councils
Validity 1 or 2 years depending on category Annual
Recognises ISO 45001, SafePlus, Q-Safe Its own scoring only

If a client or tender document asks for Tōtika specifically, a SiteWise assessment will not satisfy the requirement, and vice versa. Check what your buyer requires before starting.

Not sure whether you need Tōtika, SiteWise, or both? Get in touch and we will tell you based on who you work for and what contracts you are tendering.

What We Do for You

Tōtika assessors evaluate whether your health and safety systems work in practice, not just on paper. They look for recent, dated evidence across every working part of your system. We prepare that evidence and make sure the systems behind it are genuine.

Evidence area What assessors expect
Health and safety policy A current policy with clearly assigned responsibilities
Hazard and risk management Registers with task-specific and site-specific assessments, not generic lists
Incident and near miss reporting Reports and the corrective actions taken, not just the initial record
Worker induction and training Current training, competency, and engagement records
Insurance Current cover appropriate to your work
Practical evidence Proof your systems are used in practice: records, photos, dated examples from actual work

If you do not have a working health and safety management system behind the evidence, we build one. You cannot pass a Tōtika assessment on documentation alone.

Been asked for Tōtika?
Tell us who asked, which contracts you are tendering for, and we will scope the work.
Get a quote

How It Works

1
Tell us about your business
We need to know what you do, who requires the prequalification, and what category you are likely to fall into. No site visit needed to start.
2
We confirm your category and quote
We work out which Tōtika category applies and provide a fixed quote for the preparation work. The assessment fee itself is paid separately to the approved member scheme.
3
System review or build
We review what you have against the Tōtika criteria and either strengthen the gaps or build the system from scratch. Tōtika is more in-depth than SiteWise, so this stage takes longer and covers more ground.
4
Evidence gathering
Assessors want recent, dated evidence that your systems work in practice. We help you gather it, format it, and make sure it meets the standard. This is the part that needs your cooperation.
5
Submission
We prepare the submission through the appropriate approved member scheme and guide you through the process.
6
Assessment and result
A qualified health and safety assessor reviews your submission. If further information is needed, the assessor will contact you. Once complete, you receive your Tōtika-recognised assessment result.

Who Requires Tōtika?

Tōtika is now referenced or required by a growing number of infrastructure buyers across New Zealand.

Buyer Requirement
NZTA Physical works contractors need current Tōtika registration before applying for NZTA prequalification.
Watercare References Tōtika for construction works, maintenance, and engineering services.
Wellington Water Contractors and consultants must meet the Tōtika prequalification standard.
Councils Hamilton, Gisborne, Western Bay of Plenty, Tauranga, Manawatū, Dunedin, Grey District and others publicly reference Tōtika or accepted H&S prequalification schemes.

If your buyer, tender, or council has asked for Tōtika specifically, a different prequalification scheme will not satisfy the requirement. Always check the exact wording in the tender documents.

What the Law Requires

Tōtika is not a legal requirement. The Health and Safety at Work Act 2015 does not mention prequalification schemes by name. What the Act does require, under Section 36, is that every PCBU ensures health and safety so far as is reasonably practicable.

Tōtika is a commercial framework that helps demonstrate you are meeting that duty. The underlying obligations it assesses against, including hazard management, worker engagement, incident reporting, and training, are real legal duties under HSWA 2015.

Who Does the Work

Your Tōtika preparation is handled by Reuben Brooker, Lead Consultant at Health & Safety Consultants Auckland, with more than 15 years of experience in workplace health and safety.

You deal directly with the consultant doing the work.

Related Services

SiteWise Prequalification →
If your buyer requires SiteWise rather than Tōtika, or you need both. The underlying system work overlaps.
Health & Safety Management Systems →
A complete OHSMS is the foundation Tōtika assesses against. If you need a system built from scratch, start here.

Frequently Asked Questions

New Zealand's national contractor health and safety prequalification framework, overseen by CHASNZ. It gives contractors a single recognised assessment that multiple buyers can accept, replacing the need for repeated prequalification with different clients.
Both are prequalification schemes, but they are run by different bodies, use different scoring systems, and are accepted by different buyers. Tōtika is overseen by CHASNZ and assessed through approved member schemes. SiteWise is run by Site Safe. Tōtika is generally more in-depth, especially at Category 2 and 3. If your buyer requires one specifically, the other will not satisfy the requirement.
Your category depends on your business size, the type of work you do, and the value of contracts you tender for. Category S is for sole traders, Category 1 for smaller businesses, Category 2 for medium businesses or high-risk work, and Category 3 for larger operations or very high-risk work. We will help you determine the right category before any work begins.
We provide a fixed quote after understanding your business and your category. Our fee covers the preparation, system work, evidence gathering, and submission guidance. The assessment fee itself is paid separately to the approved member scheme.
It depends on your category and how much of a working system you already have. Tōtika is more in-depth than SiteWise, so the preparation typically takes longer. We will give you a realistic timeframe after the scoping call.
No. Tōtika assessors evaluate whether your systems work in practice, not just on paper. You need recent, dated evidence of policies being implemented, hazards being managed, incidents being reported and acted on, and workers being trained. If the system does not exist behind the evidence, we build it as part of the process.
Tōtika uses a 0 to 4 scoring system. A score of 3 means your evidence meets the Tōtika Performing Standard, which is the level buyers look for. "Developing" means the applicable requirements have not all been met.
Yes. Tōtika recognises some current external certifications and assessments, including ISO 45001, SafePlus, and Q-Safe, depending on your category and the evidence you can provide.
Sole Trader and Category 1 assessments are valid for two years. Category 2 and Category 3 assessments are valid for one year.
No. The Health and Safety at Work Act 2015 does not mention prequalification schemes by name. Tōtika is a commercial requirement set by buyers, principals, and councils. In infrastructure and construction, it is increasingly difficult to tender without it.
Yes. The preparation is done remotely, so location makes no difference.
It depends on who you work for. Some buyers require Tōtika, others require SiteWise, and some accept either. If you need both, the underlying system work overlaps considerably, so doing them together is more efficient. Tell us who your buyers are and we will advise.

Sources

  • SHE Pre-Qual, Tōtika categories and scoring: one of several approved member schemes delivering Tōtika assessments. Four categories (S, 1, 2, 3) based on business size, contract value, and risk. Scoring on a 0 to 4 scale with "Performing" as the standard. sheprequal.co.nz
  • CHASNZ (Construction Health and Safety NZ): Tōtika is an umbrella scheme with independently approved member schemes delivering assessments against a common standard. Also recognises ISO 45001, SafePlus, and Q-Safe. chasnz.org
  • SHE Pre-Qual, NZTA and council requirements: NZTA physical works contractors need current Tōtika registration. Watercare, Wellington Water, and councils including Hamilton, Gisborne, Tauranga, Dunedin and others reference Tōtika. sheprequal.co.nz
  • Health and Safety at Work Act 2015, section 36: primary duty of care requiring every PCBU to ensure health and safety so far as is reasonably practicable. legislation.govt.nz

Tōtika category and assessment details verified against CHASNZ and SHE Pre-Qual, September 2026.

Get started with Tōtika
Tell us who requires it, which contracts you are tendering for, and we will scope the work and quote a fixed price.
Get a quote

Last reviewed: September 2026