Qualifications and Standards update 

We've recently welcomed two new members to our team – Aroha Thompson who is our technical co-ordinator and will be helping the team with their different projects, and Adam Ransfield, Poutiaki Ara kounga tohu – Senior Māori Advisor for both Qualifications and Quality Assurance teams. 

We continue to collaborate with industry and providers to enable us to develop qualifications and micro-credentials. We are currently reviewing Entry Level, Agriculture and Seafood qualifications which are all proceeding as planned. The Forestry qualifications development project is on hold. 

We’ve had the below micro-credentials approved by NZQA that are now listed on the NZ Qualifications and Credentials Framework:

• Introduction to Shearing - Level 3
• Wool Handling Fundamentals - level 3
• Wool Pressing Skills - Level 3
• Shearing Essentials - Level 3
• Assess and manage risks to freshwater from horticultural production - Level 4

We've had the below standards approved by NZQA that are now listed on the NZ Qualifications and Credentials Framework: 

• Registration of Wool Harvesting Skill Standards 
• Revision of Rural Servicing Unit Standard 29726 
• Republication of Forest Industry Foundation Skills New Zealand qualification 
• Republication of Rural Animal Technology New Zealand qualification 
• Rollover and Revision of Fencing Standards 
• Revision of Pest Control Standards 
• Revision of Aquaculture Unit Standard 5344 

Tips and Tricks to meet moderation 

We’ve got more tips for passing post-assessment moderation:   

• It can be useful to provide the context of how the standard was assessed for desktop post-assessment moderation. For example, if there was a group reflection task after a practical exercise, answers may be similar across learner samples. In this instance the moderator would be aware that the task may be the same for all learners and can moderate accordingly. However, it is important that each learner still provides answers in their own words to demonstrate individual understanding.  
• Ensure answers are being marked in line with the assessor guide - use the evidence statements in the assessor guide to compare each answer with the provided sample responses or examples. 
• Keep an eye out for plagiarism - one trick to spot plagiarism is to look for inconsistencies in writing style or language that differ from the learner’s usual work. 
• Ensure that supplementary evidence, such as photos and/or video recordings, is included in the submission for moderation to support the assessor's decision. 

If you’re in doubt email moderation@mukatangata.nz for clarification. 

Muka Tangata pānui

    Future of VET

Muka Tangata recently made our submission to the Minister for Tertiary Education’s proposed changes to VET in Aotearoa.  

You can view our submission here: Muka Tangata Future of VET submission 

The Government have indicated that Cabinet will make its decision before the end of this year. Note that there will be additional industry, sector, and public engagement on any changes during the coming period. 

TEC advice 

We are now developing our investment advice to TEC for 2026. We've shared our draft advice on our Workforce Development Plans website: Draft TEC advice.

This is a starting point of the advice for each industry. We are seeking feedback from providers and industry on these drafts so that we can continue developing our advice and ensure that it best reflects industry needs. We will submit our final advice to TEC on 1 November. 

You can provide feedback on our draft advice via this Provider Feedback Form. Please provide your feedback by 4 October. 

Te Haumako

Te Haumako is our Māori Workforce Development Plan for the food and fibre sector.  

The plan outlines key broad areas of work and brings together 19 ongoing actions that will support Māori growth and wellbeing in the sector - six directly related to Muka Tangata work and three relating to how we will work with others.   

Te Haumako combines work that all of the Muka Tangata teams are doing to support Māori development in the food and fibre sector so we can all be proud of the initiatives that are outlined in it.  

Te Haumako is available in both te reo Māori and English: Te Haumako.   

Whakamaumahara – Reminders

• Your feedback helps us work with you better. Have your say through our surveys:
  - 2024 Post-Assessment Moderation 
  - Hui Whakapūmau Onsite Moderation & Enhancement Visits
  - 2024 Workshop Survey
  
  
• All assessment resources need to be pre-moderated and approved by Muka Tangata prior to use. There is no cost for this service. Resources can be submitted to moderation@muktangata.nz
  
  
• Coversheet for Pre-Moderation requests.
  
  
• Coversheet for Post-Moderation requests.
  
  
• Consent to Assess application form.
  
  
• Programme Endorsement application form. Send your application to programmes@mukatangata.nz
  
  
• Workforce Development Councils use our provider portal Aka Pārongo for post-assessment moderation material. 
  
  

• Unit standard interpretations are an interim measure until such time as the unit standard can be reviewed in full. Unit standard interpretations are updated regularly and published on our website: unit standard interpretations.