AS 91477 Clarification

Clarification details

Updated March 2026. This document has been updated in its entirety to address new 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.

Selection of ideas and mode of presentation

The selected text type must give students the opportunity to demonstrate a sophisticated understanding of how ideas can be developed through a visual text at level 8 of the New Zealand curriculum. The focus is primarily on the visual mode; the visual text must ‘stand alone’ in its ability to communicate the ideas.

Fluent use of visual language

A consistent visual style and controlled use of the conventions of the chosen text type is required. The student needs to demonstrate crafting and control of language features so that audience interest is sustained across the text.

Authenticity

Extracts from other sources may be used, but the visual text must be primarily the student’s own work. The use of images from other sources to illustrate ideas is acceptable as a starting point, but students need to build on, manipulate, and add to these images to create their own visual text.

A variety of methods can be used to develop visual content for this standard. Students might use ‘found’ static or moving images. The source of the found images could include:  

• Web-based content such as stock image repositories or screen shots of scenes in a film.
• Physical sources such as magazines, photos, and newspapers.
• AI generated content.

However, these static or moving images should be viewed as a starting point, rather than a completed visual text. Students need to demonstrate that they have developed, sustained, and structured ideas as well as selected and used structures and visual features for meaning and effect.

When using Artificial Intelligence (AI) to generate images, it may be possible to use careful planning and a series of prompts to demonstrate the student’s ideas. However, there are authenticity issues with using AI to develop all of the content. It would be challenging for the student to demonstrate that they have selected and used structures and visual features independently.

Using AI generated content as a component of the visual text, rather than for the entire visual text, would better enable students to meet the requirements of the standard. 

Guidance on the acceptable use of Artificial Intelligence

Integrated presentations

Work produced for assessment in other learning areas may be used for this standard. However, students must craft and re-work the visual text to create meanings and effects for this specific standard.

This means that visual content must be used to develop and sustain ideas, rather than illustrating ideas that are presented and developed by the written and/or oral text.