Mercury Travel · Form
Guide Competency Assessment
Competency assessment for contracted guides as required under SMSR 2023 (worker competency, training and supervision). All guides are assessed prior to engagement and re-assessed annually or after significant changes.
Prepared by Mark Abraham (Technical Advisor) · 18 December 2025
Assessment method
- Initial assessment: review of qualifications, references, and signed Contractor Induction Agreement.
- Practical observation: where possible, a joint tour or site visit with a Mercury Travel representative (Ravit or Mark Abraham).
- Annual re-assessment: review of performance feedback, post-tour reviews, and updated qualifications.
Required competencies for Mercury Travel guides
All guides must meet the following standards for low-risk, easy-going guided walks and activities.
| Competency area | Required standard | Evidence required | Assessed by | Date | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| First Aid Qualification | Current First Aid Certificate | Copy of certificate sighted and filed | Ravit Abraham | ||
| Knowledge of Mercury Travel SMS | Understanding of SMS procedures, daily checklists, hazard reporting and emergency response | Signed Contractor Induction Agreement; completion of Travelkey App training | Mark Abraham | ||
| Activity-Specific Knowledge | Familiarity with the specific tracks/activities used (e.g. Punakaiki, Lake Matheson, Kea Point) including hazards and controls | Site-specific familiarisation or completion of the tour as a guide | Ravit Abraham | ||
| Client Management & Briefing | Ability to deliver clear pre-activity safety briefings, manage group pace, and accommodate mature clients (40+) | Post-tour feedback from clients; observation during joint tour | Ravit Abraham | ||
| Weather & Hazard Monitoring | Ability to monitor weather/DOC alerts and apply the “if in doubt – cancel/shorten” rule | Evidence of daily checklist completion in Travelkey App; incident-free record | Ravit Abraham | ||
| Communication with Mercury Travel | Daily morning and end-of-day contact with Ravit; immediate reporting of issues | Communication log review; post-tour debrief | Ravit Abraham | ||
| Cultural Sensitivity | Respect for Māori cultural sites and environmental values | References or feedback from previous operators | Mark Abraham | ||
| Group Supervision | Head counts, never split the group, maintain visual contact | Observation or post-tour guide feedback | Ravit / Mark Abraham |
Example completed assessment — sample guide
| Competency area | Evidence provided | Assessed by | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| First Aid Qualification | St John Comprehensive First Aid Certificate #123456 | Ravit Abraham | Competent |
| Knowledge of Mercury Travel SMS | Signed Induction Agreement; completed Travelkey App training | Ravit Abraham | Competent |
| Activity-Specific Knowledge | Completion of the tour as a guide, or on tour as it is implemented | Ravit Abraham | Competent |
| Client Management & Briefing | Observed delivering clear briefing on joint tour; excellent client feedback | Ravit Abraham | Competent |
| Weather & Hazard Monitoring | Reviewed past daily checklists – consistent completion | Ravit Abraham | Competent |
| Communication with Mercury Travel | Daily debriefs during last tour – timely and thorough | Ravit Abraham | Competent |
| Group Supervision | Observed effective head counts and group management | Ravit Abraham | Competent |
Declaration
I confirm that the above guide has been assessed as competent to lead Mercury Travel tours in accordance with our SMS and SMSR 2023 requirements.
Sign-off
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Submits to the admin area under "Mercury Travel".