Clarification details
Updated December 2025. This document addresses issues that have arisen from moderation.
The purpose of clarifications
We create clarification documents to help people understand the current requirements of achievement standards. Clarifications do not introduce new criteria, change the intent of the standard, or change what we expect from assessment.
These documents unpack and explain the language and intent of the standard so people interpret and apply the standard consistently. We provide examples or guidance as illustrations only. They are not prescriptions or requirements.
For official requirements, always refer to the current version of the achievement standard as published by NZQA.
Choosing techniques
One asexual and one sexual plant propagation technique are required to be considered at each grade level.
Sexual plant propagation technique examples could include dormancy techniques such as scarification, stratification, soaking (in water or acid), rinsing or heat treatment.
Propagation steps
Not all steps are required when describing the steps of the techniques, but the key steps must be included. To reach the level of detail required in the description, the ability for someone else to carry out the technique from the instructions could be used as a benchmark.
Conditions for successful propagation
For Merit, the steps should explain how they created conditions necessary for the plant propagation technique to succeed. Not all conditions are required, but the key conditions must be included.
Conditions important for successful propagation refer to both environmental and biological conditions.
For sexual plant propagation, environmental conditions could include the effect of seasonality, temperature, water and oxygen availability on propagation success. Biological conditions could relate to seed structural features and breaking of dormancy.
For asexual plant propagation, environmental conditions could include the effect of seasonality on the suitability of the material, and the effect of water availability and temperature on propagation success. Biological conditions could include the age and suitability of the scion and rootstock, type of plant material, compatibility, the health of parent plants and the precautions required to reduce the spread of disease from parent to offspring.
When explaining how the conditions for successful propagation are provided, students must refer to relevant plant structural features and function and/or horticultural science concepts.
Comprehensive understanding of advanced plant propagation techniques
For Excellence, comparing and/or contrasting or justifying needs to include all the following aspects: quality, quantity, genetic potential, timing, the economics of production.
Depending on the techniques chosen, there will be aspects that are more important than others and therefore require greater focus. If an aspect has no role in the use of the technique, this should be made clear, so the student is demonstrating their understanding of the technique and the aspect.