Question 1

What is NCEA AS 91733 about?

Accepted Answer

This standard is about understanding real-world initiatives (projects or programmes run by organisations) that work towards a sustainable future. In the 2025 exam, students looked at two tourism-related initiatives: New Zealand's Tourism Sustainability Commitment and the use of artificial intelligence in tourism. Students read resource materials about these initiatives and then wrote responses explaining what they do, how effective they are, and what their wider impacts might be. Māori concepts like kaitiakitanga (guardianship of the environment) and manaakitanga (showing care and respect for others) were expected to be woven into answers. The exam had two parts, and students needed to attempt both to do well.

Question 2

What do students need to do for AS 91733?

Accepted Answer

1. Read provided resource materials about two real sustainability initiatives (in 2025, these were tourism-related). 2. Identify the purpose of each initiative — what problem it is trying to solve and what it hopes to achieve. 3. Explain how each initiative contributes to a sustainable future, using evidence from the resources. 4. Compare the two initiatives and make a judgment about which one is more effective, backed up with reasons and examples. 5. Bring in Māori concepts such as kaitiakitanga and manaakitanga and connect them meaningfully to the initiatives. 6. Discuss the wider implications of each initiative — what effects they have beyond the obvious, locally and internationally. 7. Suggest improvements or strategies that could make the initiatives even more successful (required for top grades). 8. Attempt both parts of the exam question — skipping part (b) will limit your grade.

Question 3

What's the difference between Achieved, Merit, and Excellence for AS 91733?

Accepted Answer

Achieved: You clearly state what each initiative is trying to do and draw basic conclusions about how effective each one is. You touch on at least two aspects of sustainability and make at least some reference to Māori concepts like kaitiakitanga or manaakitanga. Your answers show you understand the initiatives but don't go much deeper than that. Merit: You give a thorough explanation of each initiative's purpose and effectiveness, supported by evidence from the resources. You meaningfully include Māori concepts in relation to both initiatives. You make a clear judgment about which initiative is more effective and back it up with examples. You attempt both parts of the exam. Excellence: You show a deep, well-rounded understanding of both initiatives and confidently judge which is more effective, justifying your view with strong evidence. You weave Māori concepts throughout your answer naturally. You explore wider implications — what each initiative means for people, the environment, society, and the economy beyond the immediate context. You also suggest well-thought-out improvements or strategies to make the initiatives work better.

Question 4

What mistakes do students typically make in AS 91733?

Accepted Answer

1. Copying or closely paraphrasing text straight from the resource booklet instead of analysing it in your own words — this leads to descriptive writing rather than the analysis needed for higher grades. 2. Relying on generic, pre-prepared sustainability content that isn't directly connected to the specific initiatives in the exam. 3. Not attempting part (b) of the exam question, which blocks students from reaching Merit or Excellence even if part (a) is strong. 4. Only describing what the initiatives do rather than evaluating how effective they are or what their wider implications might be. 5. Making little or no reference to Māori concepts like kaitiakitanga and manaakitanga, which are explicitly required at every grade level above Not Achieved. 6. Providing vague or unclear conclusions about effectiveness without backing them up with evidence or examples from the resources.

Sustainability initiatives

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