Contractor Standard

The NZGAP Contractor Standard has been developed specifically for contractors providing services to NZGAP, Social Practice add-on, GLOBALG.A.P. and GRASP certified growers or supply chain operators.  Using NZGAP certified contractors is a means for growers and other supply chain operators to demonstrate the contractors they engage have met the requirements of these standards at both a production and social practice level

 

Overview

In New Zealand, horticulture is considered a high-risk industry regarding worker welfare meaning regulators are also supporting Social Practice certification. International legislation such as the Modern Slavery Acts in Australia and the UK are having a knock-on effect on supermarket sourcing policies, resulting in them being required to report on social practices all the way from the grower and contractor level on the ground in New Zealand.

Growers are ultimately responsible for the business practices of contractors they use on their properties, including how workers are treated. The common practice of using contractors, especially for seasonal tasks, means that certification is an effective pathway for contractors to demonstrate compliance to growers, and for growers to engage the services of contractors with confidence. As a result, supermarkets in New Zealand and overseas are increasingly seeking Social Practice certification in addition to the core GAP (Good Agricultural Practice) Food Safety certification.
 

Assurance Framework

Regulatory and Market acceptance

Contractors do not directly interact with buyers of horticulture produce, so must indirectly meet market certification requirements via their customers' (e.g. growers) audit and certification. In New Zealand, horticulture is considered a high-risk industry regarding worker welfare meaning regulators are also supporting Social Practice certification. International legislation such as the Modern Slavery Acts in Australia and the UK are having a knock-on effect on supermarket sourcing policies, resulting in them being required to report on social practices at all levels  down to growers and contractors on the ground in New Zealand. This means contractors are also in the scope of Social Practice certification.
 
NZGAP is also collaborating with Master Contractors and Zespri on implementation of the Contractor Standard to ensure alignment and coordination of an effective assurance system for all contractors operating in the horticulture industry going forward. 

Who it is for?

The NZGAP Contactor Standard has been developed specifically for contractors providing services to NZGAP, Social Practice add-on, GLOBALG.A.P. and GRASP certified growers or supply chain operators. Using NZGAP certified contractors is a means for growers and other supply chain operators to demonstrate the contractors they engage have met the requirements of these standards at both a production and social practice level. 

Contractor Types:
  • Agrichemical
  • Fertiliser
  • Produce handling (Harvest, Packing)
  • Other (pruning, thinning, beekeeping etc.) 

 

Social Practice Templates

         
         

Online Tools

 Tool Link  Source 
Employment Learning Modules  https://employment.elearning.ac.nz/ MBIE/ Employment NZ 
Employment Agreement Builder https://eab.business.govt.nz/employmentagreementbuilder/startscreen/ MBIE
Visa View https://www.immigration.govt.nz/about-us/our-online-systems/visaview  Immigration NZ
New Zealand Business Register https://www.nzbn.govt.nz/ NZBN
NZGAP Public Register http://www.nzgap.co.nz/checkregister NZGAP

 

Other Resources

Guidance  
  Link  Source
Fact Sheet: Worker Accommodation  https://worksafe.govt.nz/topic-and-industry/worker-accommodation/  Worksafe NZ
Requirements for Employment Agreements  https://www.employment.govt.nz/starting-employment/employment-agreements/things-an-agreement-must-contain/  Employment NZ
Requirements for new Employees https://www.employment.govt.nz/starting-employment/employment-agreements/  Employment NZ
Record Keeping https://www.employment.govt.nz/hours-and-wages/keeping-accurate-records/  Employment NZ
Breaks https://www.employment.govt.nz/hours-and-wages/breaks/rest-and-meal-breaks/  Employment NZ
Leave and Holidays https://www.employment.govt.nz/leave-and-holidays/calculating-payments-for-leave-and-holidays/calculating-annual-holiday-payments/  Employment NZ
Pay Deductions https://www.employment.govt.nz/hours-and-wages/pay/deductions/  MBIE
Young Employees https://www.employment.govt.nz/starting-employment/rights-and-responsibilities/young-employees/  Employment NZ
Employee Representation https://www.employment.govt.nz/resolving-problems/steps-to-resolve/mediation/representation-at-mediation/  Employment NZ
Seasonal Worker Accommodation http://www.hortnz.co.nz/assets/Natural-Resources-Documents/HortNZ-Guidance-to-Assist-the-Development-of-Seasonal-Workers-Accommodation.-February-2018.pdf  HortNZ
Camping http://www.legislation.govt.nz/regulation/public/1985/0261/latest/DLM103332.html Camping Grounds Regs
Bullying, Harassment and Discrimination https://www.employment.govt.nz/resolving-problems/types-of-problems/bullying-harassment-and-discrimination/general-process/  Employment NZ
Deductions https://www.employment.govt.nz/hours-and-wages/pay/deductions/  Employment NZ

Frequently Asked Questions

How much will it cost?

It will cost approximately $2,500 (excl. GST) annually and this fee covers registration, vetting, audit and certification.

Why should I become certified?

The NZGAP Contractor Standard has been developed specifically for contractors providing services to NZGAP, GLOBALG.A.P, GRASP and NZGAP Social Practice certified growers.  The NZGAP contractor standard enables contractors to easily demonstrate compliance to both production and social practice standards.  NZGAP Contractor certification can be provided to:

  • GRASP certified growers enabling them to provide evidence that the contractors they engage have met Social Practice requirements,
  • NZGAP Social Practice certified growers enabling them to provide evidence that the contractors they engage have met the NZGAP Social Practice requirements,
  • NZGAP and GLOBALG.A.P. certified growers to demonstrate that contractors they engage comply with requirements relevant to services provided e.g. harvesting, agrichemical application etc. 

Alternatively, for contractors not certified to the NZGAP Standard, each grower they provide services to will be asking for records, evidence and documentation to demonstrate relevant requirements have been met.  This will include both production and employment practices.  

Can contractors impact on a customer's GAP or Social Practice certification? 

Yes. If your certification is suspended or cancelled, this will impact on your customers' certification and you must notify them in this case. 

Do I need to be certified to the core NZGAP Standard? 

No. The NZGAP Contractor Standard is standalone therefore independent of the core NZGAP Standard. It contains the relevant food safety, health and safety and social practice criteria for specific contractors

How much time will the audit take? 

Audits are expected to take 3-6 hours depending on the scope, scale and complexity of the audit.

Is there a worker voice component?

The audit focuses primarily on the business's practices, policies and procedures, however links with worker voice initiatives including:

  • Employment NZ contact centre
  • Countdown ‘Speak up’
  • Phone: 0800 393 76739
 

Certification Process