Organise evidence by Ngā Paerewa subsection, with the documents, records, interviews and observations behind each one, because auditors triangulate across all of them and rate the subsection as a whole. Keep it live in the systems you work in, so any file the auditor picks already holds the story of that person's care.
How auditors weigh evidence
The handbook asks for evidence that is valid, sufficient, relevant and reliable, corroborated and triangulated from a variety of sources, including documented records and interviews.1 People's experiences of the service are an important part of that triangulation, and every audit refers to any satisfaction survey since the last one, with its results and the actions taken.1
An evidence map by subsection
| Subsection | Evidence the auditor triangulates | Where it lives |
|---|---|---|
| 1.6 Effective communication occurs | Information given, interpreters used, feedback on format and timing | Patient threads, surveys, interviews |
| 1.7 I am informed and able to make choices | Consent recorded, options and costs explained | Signed notes, booking records |
| 1.8 I have the right to complain | Register, outcomes, trends | Complaints register, minutes |
| 2.2 Quality and risk | Indicators reviewed, actions closed | Reports, quality minutes |
| 2.5 Information | Records signed, dated, secure | Clinical record, access logs |
| 3.2 My pathway to wellbeing | Assessment, plan and care, in order | Clinical record, tracer |
| 3.4 My medication | Prescribing and administration records | Medication charts, notes |
- Take the subsections that apply. From the Criteria Application Framework for your service types.
- Name four kinds of evidence for each. A document, a record, an interview and an observation.
- Point to the system, not a folder. Evidence that lives where the work happens is current on the day.
- Note last audit's findings. Surveillance audits return to every criterion not fully attained.
- Review it each quarter. With the quality and risk group, against live data.
- Subsection ______ Service types ______
- Document ______ Where it is kept ______
- Record ______ How it is produced ______
- Who an auditor could interview ______
- What an auditor could observe ______
- Last rating ______ Open actions ______
Multi-site groups
Agencies submit a multi-site audit plan to HealthCERT and sample each site, specialty or subspecialty, at least 10 percent of the data available in each group.1 Where wards or services provide the same service, a criterion is rated at the lowest attainment found, so one weaker site sets the rating for all.1 The sector guidance asks for quality data reviewed at executive level, with Māori health indicators among it.2
Questions
What does triangulation mean in a Ngā Paerewa audit?
Corroborating a finding from several sources, such as a record, an interview and an observation, rather than one document alone.
Does one weak site affect a group's rating?
Yes, where several wards or services provide the same service, the criterion is rated at the lowest level of attainment found.
Do auditors look at our satisfaction surveys?
Yes, every audit refers to any satisfaction survey of people, whānau or staff since the last audit, with results and actions.
Sources
- 1Ministry of Health, 2025Designated Auditing Agency Handbook, Ministry of Health Auditor Handbook (revised 2025)Read source
- 2Ministry of Health, 2021Sector Guidance for Ngā Paerewa Health and Disability Services Standard (NZS 8134:2021)Read source
Written by the wai team from HealthCERT, Ministry of Health guidance, checked on 16 October 2026. This is guidance, not legal advice. Neither HealthCERT nor the Ministry of Health endorses wai or any software.