These changes have been coming for a long time, so hopefully there are no surprises. There are many sources of information already available to help operators understand their responsibilities. WorkSafe's website has multiple pages dedicated to Adventure Activities, including Changes to the Adventure Activities Regime. This information should really help you understand your responsibilities.

As always, we recommend regular engagement with technical advisers. By communicating with peers and people with a good understanding of the sector, rules, and regulations, you will be well informed and your safety management system can be maintained to comply with the new requirements. Keep in mind that your auditor is not your technical adviser. Auditors and their technical experts need to remain impartial and are not allowed to provide advice or consult with operators.

Industry bodies like Tourism Industry Aotearoa and Recreation Aotearoa, as well as professional associations, represent adventure activity operators and advocate for operators. We strongly recommend being members of these organisations. The more members they have, the more impact they have when advocating on your behalf. They also have regular newsletters and webinars with up-to-date information.

Don't forget to follow SupportAdventure as well.

All of these platforms have worked hard to ensure the changes coming this weekend are understood and communicated to operators and other relevant parties.

They key thing to keep in mind is that from 1 April, regardless of when your next audit is scheduled, all Adventure Activity Operators need to understand and meet the Safety Management System Requirements for Adventure Activity Operators 2023 and adhere to the Health and Safety at Work (Adventure Activities) Amendment Regulations 2023