The original legislation, the 1992 Health, Safety and Employment Act, listed an external audit as good practice.
For some businesses, this has now been superseded by the new regulations, and an audit is considered mandatory.
Possible penalties for missing the deadline and continuing to operate include prosecution and fines of up to $250,000.
Tourism Industry Association industry advocate Evan Freshwater said business owners needed to start the process early.
"If an operator hasn't started the process by March next year they're going to struggle to get the process completed.
"An operator who's never been audited is in for a long process."
Mr Freshwater said the process was about helping operators learn.
"The auditor's not going to come in and say 'you've failed'."
He said a number of outdoor fatalities involving both tourists and locals had resulted in an adventure review implemented by the Prime Minister.
Incidents included the Pike River, Paritutu Rock and OPC canyoning tragedies.
TIANZ is hosting 13 workshops in total, starting in Paihia, continuing in Auckland the next day and finishing in Kaikoura on November 8.
The Paihia workshop runs from 9am to 3pm. It costs $30 to participate.
A full list of audit criteria can be found at the website www.supportadventure.co.nz.
