2026 Facility Audit Intelligence Index

Rest homes in New Zealand operate under the Health and Disability Services (Safety) Act 2001. All facilities providing aged residential care must be certified by the Ministry of Health (Manatū Hauora) and audited against the Ngā Paerewa Health and Disability Services Standard (formerly NZS 8134:2008). - Facilities are certified for 1 to 4 years depending on performance - A certification audit occurs at the start of each cycle - At least one unannounced surveillance (spot) audit occurs mid-cycle - Facilities must reapply for certification before expiry - Provisional audits occur on change of ownership - Partial provisional audits occur when services expand (e.g., adding hospital-level care) Facilities are audited against six key outcome areas under Ngā Paerewa: 1. Our Rights — Resident rights, consent, privacy, complaints 2. Workforce and Structure — Staffing, training, governance 3. Pathways to Wellbeing — Clinical care, activities, nutrition 4. Person-Centred and Safe Environment — Safety, environment, equipment 5. Infection Prevention and Antimicrobial Stewardship — Infection control, hygiene 6. Restraint and Seclusion — Use of restraint, least-restrictive practice When a facility receives PA or UA ratings, a Corrective Action Request is issued specifying: - The specific criterion not fully met - The action required - The timeframe for correction - Risk rating (Negligible, Low, Moderate, High, Critical) The