About this report
The following report gives feedback to assist assessors with general issues and trends that have been identified during external moderation of the internally assessed standards in 2024. It also provides further insights from moderation material viewed throughout the year and outlines the Assessor Support available for Home Economics.
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Insights
91469: Investigate the influence of multinational food corporations on eating patterns in New Zealand
Performance overview:
This standard requires students to investigate the influence of a multinational food corporation on eating patterns in New Zealand. It is expected that the multinational food corporation selected for investigation be one whose practices have significantly influenced and changed eating patterns in New Zealand.
The focus of this standard is explaining a range of practices used by a multinational food company to influence eating patterns in New Zealand and the possible consequences for societal wellbeing. Factors that influence food choice and eating patterns are only expected to be explained in terms of their connection to the practices selected for investigation. An explanation of a general range of factors that influence food choice, as a separate activity, is not required.
Information about a range of practices used by a multinational food corporation to influence consumers must be used to explain how and why the practices influence decision-making and food choice in New Zealand. Explanations must show clear links between the practices used and changes in New Zealand consumers’ behaviour and perceptions.
Information and examples from credible sources are needed to support explanations of the practices, some of which should be less than five years old. Sources could include interviews, statistics, research reports, newspaper and other print articles, documentaries, government and ministry websites, and recognised non-government organisations (NGOs).
Student evidence that met the requirements of the standard explained a range of practices. For example, when investigating practices used by supermarket chains in New Zealand, in- store layout, product placement, in-store advertising and the predominance of processed food for sale constituted a range of practices commonly explored. Explanations of the practices included clear links between the practices and changes to eating patterns in New Zealand. Discussion of the selected practices and effects on wellbeing were supported by information and examples relevant to New Zealand (some of which were less than 5 years old) and obtained from credible sources.
Practices that need strengthening:
Where a range of practices was not investigated, grades were changed in moderation. While some significant practices can be made up of a range of smaller practices (for example, the marketing of fresh produce by a supermarket may include several smaller practices such as the use of loss leaders, special deals, free samples and displays designed to attract attention), further investigation of at least one other significant practice (such as store layout) is expected.
Where the focus of an investigation was explaining generic practices used globally by a food corporation, further evidence was needed to explain the relevance and development of the practices in New Zealand. For example, some practices used by food corporations overseas are not necessarily used in New Zealand.
Further explanation, supported by evidence, of the effects of the practices on consumer’s beliefs, attitudes, values and habits was needed where explanations of the practices did not show clear links between the development of the practice and changes to New Zealand eating patterns.
91466: Investigate a nutritional issue affecting the well-being of New Zealand society
Performance overview:
Investigating a nutritional issue involves explaining the nature of the issue. This includes what the very essence of the issue is, why it is an issue, how it has transpired, the group(s) in society most affected and the implications of the issue for the wellbeing of New Zealand society. Quantitative and qualitative data is needed to support explanation of these aspects of an investigation, and must be sufficiently detailed to show the impact of the issue for New Zealand society.
Evidence that met the requirements of the standard investigated a nutritional issue that was not a complex medical issue. Common suitable nutritional issues selected for investigation included poor breakfast choices in teenagers, over consumption of ultra processed food, low consumption of fruit and vegetables and the overconsumption of fast food. The causes or significant contributing factors were explained, i.e. the determinants of health, attitudes, beliefs, values, and key stakeholders and group(s) affected. Effects on wellbeing were mostly explained from the societal perspective. Sufficient quantitative and qualitative data was used to support explanation of trends, patterns, causes and effects on societal wellbeing.
Practices that need strengthening:
The standard requires an investigation into a nutritional issue rather than a complex global health/medical issue. Examples of suitable issues are provided in Explanatory Note 3 of the standard. Where a complex medical disease such as obesity was selected for investigation, grades were changed in moderation. Complex medical issues such as obesity and diabetes should be viewed as outcomes or consequences of a nutritional issue, rather than the focus for investigation. Information and data relating to medical issues associated with a nutritional issue can be used to explain the effects of the issue on societal well-being.
Exploration of a wide variety of information relating to the selected nutritional issue needs to be encouraged, as it enables trends, patterns and significant causes to become apparent and be addressed in sufficient detail. Additionally, it may help to prevent discussion of effects on wellbeing being overly focused on the personal wellbeing of those most affected, and effects on societal wellbeing not being addressed.
Assessor Support
NZQA offers online support for teachers as assessors of NZC achievement standards. These include:
- Exemplars of student work for most standards
- National Moderator Reports
- Online learning modules (generic and subject-specific)
- Clarifications for some standards
- Assessor Practice Tool for many standards
- Webcasts
Exemplars, National Moderator Reports, clarifications and webcasts are hosted on the NZC Subject pages on the NZQA website.
Online learning modules and the Assessor Practice Tool are hosted on Pūtake, NZQA’s learning management system. You can access these through the Education Sector Login.
Log in to Pūtake (external link)
We also may provide a speaker to present at national conferences on requests from national subject associations. At the regional or local level, we may be able to provide online support.
Please contact workshops@nzqa.govt.nz for more information or to lodge a request for support.