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 is about ākonga demonstrating their understanding of hauora by applying a model of health to a health-related context. A health-related context relates to the Key Areas of Learning, where hauora is a central focus. These contexts include related activities such as preparing and sharing kai, where ākonga have learnt about nutrition and healthy eating habits. The intent of the Achievement Standard is to discuss hauora in a holistic sense, which is done by using a model of health to frame thinking about hauora. Ākonga will refer to different parts of their chosen model to frame their discussions. 

It is important to make the distinction between hauora and the model of health itself. It will be hauora that is affected by the activity, not different parts of the model.  

Hauora can be understood according to different cultural perspectives which are embodied by particular models of health. Hauora is a Māori philosophy of holistic wellbeing grounded in bodies of mātauranga unique to Aotearoa New Zealand. This goes beyond the physical aspects of wellbeing to include aspects such as the spiritual, the collective, and the environmental.  

The Significant Learning that ākonga will engage with in relation to this Achievement Standard includes: 

• apply a variety of holistic models of health to a range of situations to develop understanding of hauora 
• investigate the importance of Māori values within hauora, such as tiakitanga, manaakitanga, and whanaungatanga, across individual, whānau, and community contexts 
• inquire into Pacific values, knowledges, and practices, such as vā, in relation to individual, whānau, and community health contexts. 

It is recommended that ākonga participate in activities and experiences that include a focus on rich and varied understandings of hauora. For this Achievement Standard, ākonga will reflect on an activity drawn from a health-related context, considering its effects on hauora. They will choose a model of health to provide the framework for their descriptions and explanations and show how different parts of this model interact. The model chosen needs to have enough breadth to allow ākonga to show understanding of the concept of hauora. Ākonga may consider hauora for themselves and/or others, which may include whānau or community. 

NOTE: Teachers need to ensure the safety of all ākonga while discussing concepts of hauora.

Making reliable judgements

Ākonga need to be able to demonstrate understanding of hauora and will frame their discussions according to the different parts of a chosen model of health. They will describe how hauora has been affected by particular aspects of the activity (according to the different parts of their chosen model) and provide examples from the activity to illustrate their points. Ākonga will also be able to describe how different parts of the model interact in relation to the activity. This may involve recognising the holistic nature of hauora and understanding ways in which different parts of the model support or influence each other. This could include how, when hauora is affected in a particular way (such as heightened emotions), it can have flow-on effects which can be explained according to the different parts of the model.  

At higher levels of achievement, ākonga will be able to explain reasons for why hauora is affected by the activity in particular ways. They will also explain why interconnections exist between parts of the model in relation to the activity. This might include giving reasons for why one part of the model is impacted by another, or why particular enhancements for hauora have flow-on effects. Ākonga will think critically about how hauora is affected not only in the short-term but also in the long-term (which may be due to new learnings or behaviours gained during the activity) for individuals, groups, or communities. 

Because hauora is a holistic concept, the way in which ākonga use their chosen model of health should reflect this. However, they may not need to refer to all parts of the model in the same level of detail.

Collecting evidence

This Achievement Standard requires ākonga to demonstrate their understanding of hauora by describing and explaining effects of an activity on hauora. Ākonga can create and present evidence via any medium, as long as it clearly demonstrates the requirements of the Achievement Standard have been met. Examples include notes, photos, written oral responses, videos, annotated visual presentations, or voice recordings.

Possible contexts

This Achievement Standard is an opportunity to demonstrate understanding of hauora according to perspectives within te ao Māori or Pacific nations, as they are represented within relevant models of health. To ensure safe and respectful navigation for ākonga as they develop understanding of hauora through Māori and Pacific cultural perspectives, relevant cultural customs and practices need to be explored, and activities should be engaged in via tikanga. Where possible, reciprocal relationships with mana whenua should be built and nurtured. 

Ākonga will select a model of health that is most suited to the activity they are reflecting on. For example, if the activity is grounded in te ao Māori, the model of health selected should also be grounded in te ao Māori. By considering how hauora is affected by an activity or experienced through the lens of a particular model, it means ākonga are gaining the special perspectives of hauora according to the framework for understanding that the model provides. If the activity is grounded in a Pacific context, the model of health should also be a Pacific model of health and hauora should be unpacked through a Pacific perspective. It is important to acknowledge that there are diverse perspectives found across the Pacific, and as such there may be multiple ways of understanding the concept of hauora. 

Some examples of assessment contexts that could be used for this Achievement Standard could include activities related to preparing and eating a meal together, attending a cultural event or activity, or developing and applying a self-management practice. Ākonga might also have the opportunity to reflect on activities that are a natural part of their family life (such as meals with extended family or cultural events in their own communities). 

The practical activity must be grounded in one or more of the Key Areas for Learning: 

• Food and Nutrition 
• Mental Health 
• Relationships and Sexuality. 

Engagement with the following Ministry of Education guides is recommended for all Health Studies kaiako for teaching and learning: 

• Mental Health Education 
• Relationships and Sexuality Education.