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

The intent of this Standard is for ākonga to engage with resources to demonstrate understanding of decisions made in relation to a contemporary social issue.  

A contemporary social issue is an issue that is currently affecting various people, places, or both. A decision is a potential solution or resolution to the contemporary social issue. By examining decisions made, regardless of whether they are made by governments, institutions or communities, ākonga will gain insight into the root causes of the social issue, the stakeholders involved, the rationale behind the decisions made, and their intended outcomes. This Achievement Standard encourages ākonga to think critically and promotes civic engagement for positive social change. It also supports the development of more informed and well-considered decision-making in the future.

This Achievement Standard relates to the following Significant Learning: 

• explore how power is exerted to influence multiple aspects of society and the impact on groups and communities
• explore different views about human rights and how they are valued and applied
• explore how and why identities and culture can be multiple and dynamic  
• recognise that society’s range of social organisation systems (such as social, political, cultural, spiritual) impact upon the rights, roles, and responsibilities of people and groups.  

Making reliable judgements

The evidence produced by ākonga in this Achievement Standard will demonstrate understanding of decisions made in relation to a contemporary social issue. Their responses will describe the main features of the issue, such as the people, groups, or communities involved. To show their understanding of decisions made regarding the issue, ākonga will describe the intended outcomes of the decisions made, and include what the decision maker hoped to achieve with regard to the social issue. 

At higher levels of achievement, ākonga will explain the rationale for decisions made in relation to a contemporary social issue. Their explanations will include the reasoning and purpose for decisions made in relation to the contemporary social issue. Discussion of the decisions made and how they relate to each other, such as whether they complement each other or not, is also a higher level requirement. Evidence from the sources provided is used to develop explanations.

Collecting evidence

The Standard allows ākonga to show understanding of differing decisions made in relation to a contemporary social issue through engaging with previously unseen resources.

Evidence of understanding will come from the ability of ākonga to describe, explain and examine decisions made in relation to the contemporary social issue and the stimulus materials ākonga draw from to support their explanations.

Possible contexts

In a teaching and learning programme, kaiako can support ākonga in exploring solutions and resolutions to a range of contemporary social issues, including considerations that may contribute to solutions and resolutions. For the purposes of this Standard, a contemporary social issue must consider one or a combination of the following:

• the inclusion of diverse identities
• the impact on people’s rights
• the responsibilities and roles of social organisations
• the nature of power.

Examples of contemporary social issues and related ethical considerations are:

• the protection of land rights — justice, self-determination
• discrimination and bias within different institutions and systems — inclusivity, equity
• attitudes to youth activism — inclusivity, equity, self-determination
• mining for resources — integrity, justice
• access to and/or cost of education — equity, inclusivity.
   

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).