Tōtika, SiteWise, or IMPAC PREQUAL: Which Contractor Prequalification Path Is Right for Your Business?
- Jul 1
- 4 min read
For many New Zealand businesses, contractor prequalification is becoming a standard requirement rather than an optional extra.
Whether you are tendering for work, managing contractors, or trying to streamline your own processes, choosing the right prequal system can feel confusing. Tōtika, SiteWise, and IMPAC PREQUAL all take slightly different approaches, and the best option will depend on how your business operates and who you are working with.
In this guide, we step through each option to help you make a practical, informed decision.
What Is Contractor Prequalification?
Before comparing the systems, it is useful to clarify what contractor prequalification actually involves.
Contractor prequalification is the process of assessing a contractor’s health and safety capability before they begin work. This typically includes reviewing:
Health and safety policies and procedures
Risk management processes
Training and competency records
Incident and hazard management systems
The goal is to ensure contractors can manage risks effectively and meet workplace health and safety expectations. Want support getting contractor prequalification? Explore how we can assist you with this, regardless of which path you take.
Tōtika Prequalification: A Streamlined, Industry-Led Approach
Tōtika is designed to reduce duplication across the industry, making prequalification more efficient.
Tōtika allows contractors to complete one assessment that can be recognised by multiple clients, reducing the need to complete multiple prequal processes.
Where it works well:
Businesses working across multiple clients or sectors
Contractors wanting a single, streamlined process
Organisations looking to reduce repeated admin
What to consider:
Adoption is still growing. Some clients may not yet accept Tōtika, so you may still need to meet other requirements.
Key benefit:
Reduces repeated prequalification effort and saves time
SiteWise: Graded Contractor Health and Safety Assessment
SiteWise is one of the more established contractor prequalification systems in New Zealand, and it is widely used, particularly in construction and higher-risk industries.
SiteWise assesses and grades a contractor’s health and safety systems, providing a score that clients can review when selecting contractors.
Where it works well:
Businesses working in construction or infrastructure
Contractors needing a recognised grading system
Situations where principals specifically require SiteWise
What to consider:
A good grade helps, but it does not always replace client-specific requirements. Some organisations will still ask for additional information.
Key benefit:
Provides a clear, visible score of health and safety capability
IMPAC PREQUAL: Comprehensive System-Based Assessment
IMPAC PREQUAL focuses on a detailed review of a contractor’s health and safety systems and documentation.
This can be useful if you are looking for a clearer understanding of how well your systems are working and where improvements are needed.
Where it works well:
Businesses wanting structured feedback on their systems
Organisations committed to improving their overall approach
Contractors working with clients who prefer a more detailed review
What to consider:
The process can take more time and effort compared to other options.
Key benefit:
Provides detailed insights into system strengths and gaps
Tōtika vs SiteWise vs IMPAC PREQUAL: Key Differences
Feature | Tōtika | SiteWise | IMPAC PREQUAL |
Focus | Reducing duplication | Grading capability | Detailed system review |
Best for | Multi-client contractors | High-risk industries | System improvement |
Output | Recognised certification | Score/grade | Detailed assessment |
Time investment | Moderate | Moderate | Higher |
Which Contractor Prequalification Path Is Right for Your Business?
There is no single “best” option. The right choice depends on your work, your clients, and your internal capability.
You might lean toward:
Tōtika if you want to reduce duplication and simplify the process
SiteWise if your clients require it or you need a recognised grade
IMPAC PREQUAL if you want deeper insight into your systems
In some cases, businesses end up working across more than one system, especially when client requirements vary.
Still not sure which path is best for you?
Follow through our flowchart below for further guidance or request a consultation for help getting your prequal.
Where Many Businesses Get Stuck
A common challenge is not knowing where to begin or trying to manage multiple prequalification requirements at once.
This can lead to:
Repeating the same information in different formats
Spending time on paperwork that does not add real value
Gaps between what is documented and what actually happens in practice
The key is to focus on building systems that are practical first. Once those are in place, prequalification becomes much easier to manage. Read our practical guide for contractor prequalification here, for further insight and guidance.
How Contractor Prequalification Supports Better Health and Safety Systems
Regardless of which option you choose, contractor prequalification plays an important role in strengthening your overall health and safety systems.
It helps you:
Identify gaps in your processes
Improve documentation and clarity
Strengthen your hazard management approach
Demonstrate capability to clients and principals
Most importantly, it helps ensure your systems work in real conditions, not just on paper.
Need Help Navigating Tōtika, SiteWise, or IMPAC PREQUAL?
Choosing the right path and getting through the process can take time, especially if you are balancing other responsibilities.
We work with businesses to:
Decide which prequalification approach makes the most sense
Prepare and organise the required documentation
Improve systems so they are clear, practical, and aligned with real work
If you would like support, learn more about our contractor prequalification support and how we can help you move through the process with confidence.
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