QA Audit NZ

29/08/2026

See you tomorrow team Cambridge Racquets Club

20/08/2026

"As usual, quality content is what we have, and we're confident you'll enjoy reading it," write Dan Forsman and Dr. Martin Andrew in Issue 3 2026 of , out now.

For our latest tenth anniversary issue, we explore the reality of working in quality, AI and quality transformation, systems thinking, improvement tools, leadership, and the continuing relevance of established quality principles.

Inside this issue:

📚 Nurturing capability and nursing vipers: Reflections on 100-odd years of quality science by Dr. Nigel Grigg
🤝 Why Dr. Deming is relevant today: Win-win by Dr. Jackie Graham
⚖️ The reality of working in quality assurance by Lesley Worthington
🧹 Practical tools for improvement: 5S by Dr. Jackie Graham
🤖 The algorithm of excellence: AI's role in quality transformation by Grace Arifin
🏥 Bottlenecks that are not really bottlenecks: Why healthcare's most visible constraints are symptoms, not causes by Akhilesh Gulati
🏛️ The architecture of integrity: Why your next market crisis was already approved in the boardroom by Ekaterina Potemkina

This issue also includes a 'Getting to Know' profile of Matt Hopson, a review of 'The System' by Derrick Mains, , and updates from NZOQ and AOQ.

Read the latest issue of QB in the iQ member portal. Not yet a member? Join NZOQ to access Quality Business, professional recognition, training discounts, and more 👉 https://www.nzoq.org.nz/quality-business

Quality Business is proudly produced by NZOQ in partnership with the Australian Organisation for Quality.

10/08/2026

Still unsure whether you should register for the 31st APQO International Conference in Bali?
Take this as the sign you have been waiting for.
QA Audit NZ with Matt Hopson is heading to Bali, where we will be delivering an exclusive two-hour workshop:
FROM COMPLIANCE TO TRACEABILITY
Implementing Practical Digital Quality Assurance in Construction and Infrastructure Projects
Quality must be more than completed forms and ticked boxes. It must provide clear, reliable evidence of what was built, inspected, tested, accepted and handed over.
This workshop will explore how construction and infrastructure teams can move beyond compliance and build practical quality systems that deliver genuine traceability, stronger decision-making and greater confidence in project outcomes.
We will cover real-world case studies, digital quality assurance, AI in quality management, QMPs and ITPs, intervention points, NCR management, effective auditing, QA handover and building a practical quality culture.
No compliance theatre. No theory for theory’s sake. Just practical lessons and proven approaches drawn directly from major construction and infrastructure projects.
📅 Wednesday, 28 October 2026
🕙 10:00 am–12:00 pm
📍 Prime Plaza Sanur, Bali, Indonesia
👥 Limited to only 20 delegates
Places are allocated on a first-confirmed, first-served basis, with workshop registration closing on 30 September 2026.
New Zealand construction quality assurance is stepping onto the international stage again, and I would love to see you there.
Register and secure your place here:
https://lnkd.in/enJeNt9c
https://lnkd.in/e8D8PYeY
Procore Technologies
CONQA
New Zealand Organisation for Quality
Save it. Share it. Bring your team. See you in Bali.

05/08/2026

Quality Assurance in Construction isn't standing still... and neither should we.
Yesterday I had the pleasure of delivering the Quality Assurance in Construction (QAC) programme to an outstanding group of professionals from Downer NZ Transport & Infrastructure.
The engagement, discussions and willingness to challenge traditional thinking made this one of my favorite sessions to date.
What made this course particularly special was that it was the first time we introduced discussions and learnings around the NZTA Integrated Delivery Model (IDM) and Maintenance Quality module into the QAC programme.

As NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi continues to evolve its quality framework, it's becoming increasingly clear that quality is no longer just about inspections, test results or paperwork.

It's about:
✅ Planning quality before work begins.
✅ Clearly defining how work will be delivered.
✅ Producing objective evidence throughout the life of the project.
✅ Creating confidence that our infrastructure is safe, reliable and fit for purpose.

One of the biggest takeaways from the day was understanding the relationship between the three key components of NZTA's maintenance quality framework:

🔹 SM034 – Integrated Delivery Model (IDM)
How maintenance contracts are planned, managed and delivered.
🔹 Z01-A – Quality Management Specification
How quality is planned, managed and continually improved.
🔹 Z08 – Inspection, Sampling and Testing
How quality is verified through inspections, testing and objective evidence.

Understanding how these documents work together helps move quality from a compliance exercise to a structured management system that supports better project outcomes.

It was fantastic to see so much experience around the room and a genuine desire to continue lifting the quality of infrastructure delivery across New Zealand. Well-done TEAM Downer

Quality isn't about catching mistakes.
It's about designing systems that prevent them.
The QAC programme continues to evolve alongside our industry
Quality First. Safety Always.
Matt Hopson
New Zealand Organisation for Quality

29/07/2026

29/07/2026

Over the past two days, I had the privilege of delivering another Internal Auditor Training Course alongside the New Zealand Organisation for Quality (NZOQ).

A huge thank you to everyone who attended for your enthusiasm, questions, and willingness to challenge ideas throughout the course.
It was a pleasure working with, we had attendees from
APL Window Solutions, Gravure Packaging Products, Autochecks NZ and the Far North District Council

One thing really stood out to me.
Three of the organisations represented are not ISO 9001 certified.
That might not sound significant to everyone, but to me, it's one of the most encouraging things I've seen in a long time.
Too often, organisations invest in Internal Auditor training simply because ISO 9001 requires competent auditors to maintain certification.
These organisations are doing it for a different reason.
They're investing in their people because they recognise that good internal auditing helps build better businesses.

Internal auditing isn't about finding fault but rather gathering data to make informed decisions
It's about asking better questions.
It's about understanding risk.
It's about improving processes.
It's about making better decisions using objective evidence.
Ultimately, it's about creating consistency and confidence that your organisation is performing as intended.

You don't need an ISO certificate on the wall to benefit from that mindset.
In fact, some of the most progressive organisations I work with see internal auditing as a business improvement tool first and a compliance activity second.

That's exactly how it should be.

Thank you again to everyone who attended. I look forward to seeing many of you continue your journey towards Certified Quality Internal Auditor (CQIA) with NZOQ.

Remember...
Good auditors don't just verify compliance, they help organisations improve.

Matt Hopson

23/07/2026

A major milestone for QA AUDIT NZ
Today we delivered our very first https://lnkd.in/eu7k3GWK (QAC) training course outside New Zealand, delivering it in VANUATU for the Vanuatu Government Public Works Department (PWD).
More importantly, today demonstrated what can be achieved when a government invests in building the capability of its local construction industry.
Rather than relying solely on external expertise, the Vanuatu Government is investing in upskilling local contractors, supervisors and engineers in quality assurance. This not only improves the standard of infrastructure being delivered, but also helps ensure government investment stays within the local economy while building long-term capability for future generations.
Today's session brought together some of Vanuatu's leading contractors to discuss practical quality management, including:
Quality Assurance vs Quality Control
Inspection & Test Plans (ITPs)
Request for Information (RFIs)
Non-Conformance Reports (NCRs)
Inspections and intervention points
Developing complete, traceable and auditable QA handover packs
Digital QA Procore Technologies and CONQA
Tomorrow we'll be delivering the same principles to the Government's inspectors and engineers. Training both the contractors and the client creates a common understanding of quality expectations, ensuring everyone is working from the same playbook. That is how consistency is achieved across an entire industry.
A huge thank you to Dion Palu and the team at Quality Solutions Pacific, together with the New Zealand Organisation for Quality(NZOQ), for making this possible.
This is exactly how you improve quality across a country from the top down, by investing in people, creating consistent expectations, and leaving behind knowledge that will continue to benefit projects for years to come.
Matt Hopson

13/07/2026

AI is transforming construction, but AI can't fix poor quality processes.

Digital systems can't improve traceability if the underlying quality framework is weak.

That's why I'll be presenting a practical workshop at the 31st APQO International Conference in Bali, focusing on real-world digital quality assurance for infrastructure and construction projects.

Using examples from major renewable energy and infrastructure projects, we'll explore how organisations are moving beyond compliance towards genuine traceability and confidence in project delivery.

If you're attending APQO 2026, I'd love to see you there.

Workshop: From Compliance to Traceability

📍 Bali, Indonesia

📅 Wednesday, 28 October 2026

👥 Limited to 20 delegates

Register here:

https://wios.wkm-ind.co.id/apqo/event/31st-apqo-international-conference-2026

https://apqo-ic2026.ammpi.com/workshop-compliance-to-traceability or https://bit.ly/APQO-IC2026-Workshop

Matt Hopson, New Zealand Organisation for Quality, Procore Technologies

📍 31st APQO-IC International Conference 2026 · Bali From Compliance to Traceability Implementing Practical Digital Quality Assurance in Construction and Infrastructure Projects Learn how leading infrastructure and construction projects are moving beyond compliance-based quality systems toward pr...

22/04/2026

Quality Assurance in Construction is a one-day course for professionals working in construction who want to understand how quality works on real projects. 🏗️

More than 400 professionals across New Zealand have completed the programme.

The next public session will be held on 24 April in Cambridge. Find out more and reserve a place 👉
https://www.nzoq.org.nz/quality-assurance-in-construction