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Title / Set and clear dining areas in a whare kai
Level / 2 / Credits / 2
Purpose / This unit standard is intended for people who are ringa wera for a whare kai – those who, as and when needed, undertake a range of activities in a whare kai in accordance with the application of tikanga for that marae.
People credited with this unit standard are able, in a whare kai, to prepare, set, and clear dining areas.
This unit standard is seen as an entry level unit standard to marae catering.
Classification / Marae Catering > Service in Whare Kai
Available grade / Achieved
Explanatory notes
1For credit, setting and arrangements of tables must be for meals normally associated with routine occasions for which meals are served in a whare kai.
2Evidence for this unit standard must be presented from within the context of a whare kai. There are many similarities in performance expectations and requirements between the kitchen of a whare kai and those in commercial kitchens. There are also some significant differences that must be taken into account when developing the knowledge and skills required to be demonstrated for credit for this unit standard and in the assessment of such knowledge and skills. For example:
atime taken to complete tasks matters – the kai must keep pace with other activities and processes on the marae;
bthe end user must be satisfied in such a way that mana is not compromised;
cthe contexts in which catering is required are real and cannot be simulated. Learning and assessment activities may just happen as well as be planned and scheduled, resulting in the availability of high levels of naturally occurring learning and evidence opportunities;
dequipment must be capable of, safely, providing sufficient volumes of appropriate product to the standard demanded by each occasion for which catering is being provided;
eperformance is embraced by tikanga; and
fwork ethic is guided through the expression of manaaki and awhi.
3Performance of the elements of this unit standard must accord with the application of tikanga on the marae in which assessment takes place. This would include any explanation of effective ways of dealing with unexpected problems with food and equipment, unexpected conditions within or demands placed on the whare kai, or accidents that cause injury, encountered during any learning and/or assessment processes. Relevant applications must be made known to candidates prior to assessment.
4Performance of the elements of this unit standard must comply with relevant legislation and regulations, in particular: Food Hygiene Regulations 1974; Food Act 1981; Health and Safety in Employment Act 1992, and any subsequent amendments.
Areas where such legislative and regulatory requirements may be of direct relevance include but are not limited to:
athe cleanliness, tidiness and fitness for use of utensils, equipment, work areas, and ingredients;
bthe storage and labelling of products; and
cthe efficient use of product to reduce unnecessary wastage and to ensure maximum yield.
Specific applications of relevant legislation and related guidance for marae catering contexts are available in documents such as:
iOranga Kai pamphlet resources developed by and available from the Ministry of Health;
iiMinistry for Primary Industries, Food Safety, practices in preparing and cooking a hāngi, May 2013 (available on
Outcomes and evidence requirements
Outcome 1
Prepare and set dining areas in a whare kai.
Evidence requirements
1.1The dining area and furniture are clean, free from damage, and positioned in accordance with the occasion for which meals are being taken.
1.2Table items such as cutlery, crockery, glassware, napkins or serviettes, and condiments are appropriate to the meal to be served.
1.3Table items such as cutlery, crockery, glassware, napkins or serviettes, and condiments and are set out according to local protocols. The items are clean and free from damage.
1.4The whanaungatanga of the whare kai is practiced during the preparation process.
Outcome 2
Clear dining areas in a whare kai.
Evidence requirements
2.1Table items such as cutlery, crockery, glassware, napkins or serviettes, and condiments are removed and stored according to local protocols.
2.2Any diners remaining in the whare kai are not unduly inconvenienced during the clearing process.
2.3Rubbish and food waste are cleared in a safe and hygienic manner.
2.4Furniture and the general dining area are clean and ready for the next scheduled meal.
2.5The whanaungatanga of the whare kai is practiced during the clearing process.
This unit standard is expiring. Assessment against the standard must take place by the last date for assessment set out below.
Status information and last date for assessment for superseded versions
Process / Version / Date / Last Date for AssessmentRegistration / 1 / 21 March 2005 / 31 December 2015
Rollover / 2 / 16 October 2009 / 31 December 2015
Review / 3 / 21 July 2011 / 31 December 2015
Rollover / 4 / 16 July 2015 / 31 December 2018
Rollover / 5 / 26 July 2018 / 31 December 2019
Consent and Moderation Requirements (CMR) reference / 0186
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.
NZQA Māori Qualifications ServicesSSB Code 194 / New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2018