NZQA registered unit standard / 2569 version 9
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Title / Explain objects as symbols to demonstrate cultural awareness in whakairo
Level / 7 / Credits / 14
Purpose / This unit standard is for people furthering their knowledge in whakairo. It supplements the Toi Whakairo and Whakaraupapa Whakairo unit standards.
People credited with this unit standard are able to interpret: architectural components to demonstrate cultural awareness in whakairo; environmental orientation of architecture; and the function of artefacts.
Classification / Whakairo > Mana Whakairo
Available grade / Achieved
Entry information
Critical health and safety prerequisites / Unit 2568, Explain symbolic representation to demonstrate cultural awareness in whakairo,or demonstrate equivalent knowledge and skills.
Recommended skills and knowledge / Unit 2561, Explain taha wairua to demonstrate cultural awareness in whakairo.

Explanatory notes

1Tikanga and kawa related to the content of the Whakairo subfield refer to specific interpretations and understandings of whakapapa, te reo, symbolism, concepts and representation within a whakairo context. They are distinctive from those within the broader context of Te Ao Māori.

2Glossary

taha wairua – spiritual perspective.

Outcomes and evidence requirements

Outcome 1

Interpret architectural components of artefacts to demonstrate cultural awareness in whakairo.

Evidence requirements

1.1Form is analysed to interpret symbolic correlation between architectural components and position in space that concurs with hapū or iwi tradition.

Rangecomponents – paepae, poutahu, poutuarongo, pane, tāhuhu, pare, poutokomanawa, koruru, tekoteko, epa, poupou, tukutuku, papaka, kaho paetara, kaho, maihi, raparapa, amo, poupou, heke, heketipi, kuwaha, waharoa, pou rāhui, pou haki, whare taua;

position in space – kei mua, kei muri, ki te taha maui, ki te taha matau, kei runga, kei raro, kei waho, kei roto.

1.2Form is analysed to interpret symbolic correlation between waka taua components and position in space that concurs with hapū or iwi tradition.

Rangewaka taua – tauihu, huaki, rauawa, taumanu, taurapa, parata, takere, kei;

position in space – kei mua, kei muri, ki te taha maui;

ki te taha matau, kei runga, kei raro, kei waho, kei roto.

Outcome 2

Interpret environmental orientation of the artefacts.

Evidence requirements

2.1Environmental orientation of architecture is analysed to interpret symbolic correlation between structure and its physical location within the landscape that concurs with hapū or iwi traditions.

Rangestructure – marae, whare whakairo, pātaka;

physical location – ki te tokerau, ki te rāwhiti, kei mua, kei muri.

Outcome 3

Interpret function of the artefacts.

Evidence requirements

3.1Artefacts are analysed to interpret symbolic correlation between object and function that concurs with hapū or iwi traditions.

Rangeobjects – patu, wahaika, kotiate, taiaha, tewhatewha, tao, hoeroa, heru, hei tiki, hei pounamu, matau, rei niho, mau kaki, kō, toki, tokipoutangata, hoe, tīheru, mahe, taumata atua, rākau whakapapa, kūmete, wakahuia, whata, pātaka, wakatētē, waka tīwai, waka taua, wharau, wharepuni, whare whakairo, waka kōiwi, pou whakamaharatanga, waharoa;

function – weapon, ornament, tool, utensil, container, shelter, storage, transport, burial, memorial, entrance.

Planned review date / 31 December 2021

Status information and last date for assessment for superseded versions

Process / Version / Date / Last Date for Assessment
Registration / 1 / 5 December 1995 / 31 December 2019
Revision / 2 / 6 April 1998 / 31 December 2019
Revision / 3 / 19 April 2000 / 31 December 2019
Revision / 4 / 18 September 2001 / 31 December 2019
Revision / 5 / 11 March 2004 / 31 December 2019
Review / 6 / 12 December 2008 / 31 December 2019
Revision / 7 / 21 May 2010 / 31 December 2019
Rollover / 8 / 21 February 2013 / 31 December 2019
Review / 9 / 15 September 2016 / N/A
Consent and Moderation Requirements (CMR) reference / 0082

This CMR can be accessed at

Please note

Providers must be granted consent to assess against standards (accredited) by NZQA, before they can report credits from assessment against unit standards or deliver courses of study leading to that assessment.

Industry Training Organisations must be granted consent to assess against standards by NZQA before they can register credits from assessment against unit standards.

Providers and Industry Training Organisations, which have been granted consent and which are assessing against unit standards must engage with the moderation system that applies to those standards.

Requirements for consent to assess and an outline of the moderation system that applies to this standard are outlined in the Consent and Moderation Requirements (CMR). The CMR also includes useful information about special requirements for organisations wishing to develop education and training programmes, such as minimum qualifications for tutors and assessors, and special resource requirements.

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