Mātauranga Māori constitutes concepts and principles that are richly detailed, complex, and fundamental to Māoridom. It is important to remember that the practice of these are wider and more varied than their use within the proposed NCEA Achievement Standards and supporting documentation.

We also recognise that the cultures, languages, and identities of the Pacific Islands are diverse, varied, and unique. Therefore the Pacific concepts, contexts, and principles that have been incorporated within NCEA Achievement Standards may have wide-ranging understandings and applications across and within the diversity of Pacific communities. It is not our intention to define what these concepts mean but rather offer some ways that they could be understood and applied within different subjects that kaiako and students alike can explore.

The intent of the Standard

This Achievement Standard assesses ākonga on their understanding of studied text. Ākonga will gain an appreciation of how texts are constructed and how aspects of text can work together to influence the intended audience, evoke emotion, and create engagement. Ākonga will learn to interpret their own responses to aspects of text, as well as recognise the text creators' intended effects. They will learn to recognise how audience engagement and viewpoints are created and developed. 

This Achievement Standard aligns with the following items of Significant Learning: 

• interpret ideas within and between texts from a range of contexts 
• take a stance and explain their interpretations of increasingly complex texts, using examples and/or details primarily from the text(s), but also from beyond it 
• identify, describe and explain their own perspectives through their responses to various texts. 
• This Achievement Standard also presents an opportunity for ākonga to explore texts from Aotearoa New Zealand and the Pacific and to make connections to their own experiences and that of their whānau and tūpuna. Teachers are encouraged to include both world and Aotearoa New Zealand texts when preparing ākonga for assessment. 

Making reliable judgements

Ākonga are required to demonstrate their understanding of specific aspects from studied text(s). They will identify and describe specific aspects of text and how these create engagement and viewpoints. Ākonga will support their understanding by providing specific and relevant details from the studied text(s). Details can include quotations or specific descriptions and must be directly linked to the response and explanation. 

When considering aspects of studied text(s), ākonga are encouraged to use this as a way to deepen their own personal understandings of the text(s). They could explore how the aspects have a personal impact or connection, offering their own personal viewpoints. Alternatively, they could draw on the viewpoints of others within and beyond the text, potentially taking a more objective stance. They may also show their understanding through engaging with the portrayal of ideas or assumptions reflected in the text(s), or through connecting to other texts, and considering author's purpose. Aspects may include: 

• character (for example, internal or external conflict, relationships) 
• ideas 
• setting (time and place) 
• plot 
• style 
• purposes 
• language features (for example, figurative language, syntax, symbolism, vocabulary) 
• structures (for example, part text, whole text, narrative, beginnings and endings). 

At higher levels of achievement, ākonga will consider how aspects of text work together to create connections beyond the text(s), which could include making connections across studied texts or to other texts, as well as considerations of community, society, or the wider world. This may include reflecting on the influences that knowledge, experience, and ideas from social, cultural, literary, political, or historical contexts have on constructing meaning from a text. 

Collecting evidence

Refer to the External Assessment Specifications for further information. 

Possible contexts

Prior to being assessed, as part of a teaching and learning programme, ākonga will have engaged with a wide range of texts by a variety of text creators; these may be texts studied in class, or independently selected ones. Text types could include extended texts, short texts, poems, song lyrics, graphic novels, short films, films, podcasts, etc. Ākonga should have opportunities to practice developing their understanding of texts through engaging with different aspects of texts. 

Standard Exclusions

This Standard has one or more exclusions, or Standards that assess the same or similar learning. These Standards are excluded against one another to prevent assessing the same learning twice. You can only use credits gained from one of these standards towards your NCEA qualification.

Find out more about the NCEA Level 1 Exclusions List.

Literacy and Numeracy Requirements

This Achievement Standard has been approved for literacy in the transition period (2024-2027). 

Full information on the co-requisite during the transition period: Standards approved for NCEA Co-requisite during the transition period (2024-2027).