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Title / Implement programmes for early childhood services to meet the philosophy of Tongan culture and Te Whāriki
Level / 6 / Credits / 6
Purpose / People credited with this unit standard are able to: plan programmes to reflect and promote Tongan language, traditional beliefs, values, culture and Christian beliefs; implement the programmes according to Tongan customs and traditions and Te Whāriki principles;and review the programmes.
Classification / PacificIslands Early Childhood Education > Tonga: Akoteu
Available grade / Achieved
Guidance Information
1Glossary
Faka'apa'apa – respect.
Tamai – father.
Tuofefine – sister.
Tuonga'ane – brother.
Mehekitanga – father’s sister.
2Definitions
A Tongan early childhood service is a culture specific service responsible for all aspects of the child’s development based on Christian values and consideration for others.
Service may include but is not limited to – early childhood centres, home based early childhood educational programmes.
Customs include the traditional Tongan beliefs related to cooking, dress code, language, behaviour, and childrearing.
Values include respect for elders, hospitality, respect for church seniors and other people of high ranking, respect for father, respect for paternal sister, and respect between brother and sister.
Tongan protocols refer to procedures for events such as childbirth, birthdays, and weddings where a fixed procedure is followed at the time of the event.
Christian values refer to the values of the Christian religion and encompass the belief of ‘sacrifice’ or consideration for others that should be practised in all aspects of daily life.
3All outcomes and performance criteria must be in accordance with any policies, procedures, standards, and requirements of the organisation involved, and with the following:
Children, Young Persons, and their Families Act 1989;
Education Act 1989;
Human Rights Act 1993;
Privacy Act 1993;
Education (Early Childhood Centres) Regulations 1998;
Education (Early Childhood Services) Regulations 2008;
Education (Home-Based Care) Order 1992.
4References may include but are not limited to:
Ministry of Education, Te Whāriki, He Whāriki Mātauranga mō ngā Mokopuna o Aotearoa: Early Childhood Curriculum (Wellington: Learning Media, 1996).
Ministry of Education, Quality in action: Te mahi whai hua: Implementing the revised statement of desirable objectives and practices in New Zealand early childhood services (Wellington: Learning Media, 1998).
Ministry of Education, The quality journey: He haerenga whai hua. Improving quality in early childhood services (Wellington: Learning Media, 1999).
Ministry of Education, Kei Tua o te Pae/Assessment for learning: Early Childhood Exemplars(Wellington: Learning Media, 2007).
Ministry of Education, The New Zealand Curriculum (Wellington: Learning Media, 2007).
Ministry of Education, Developing programmes for teaching PacificIslands languages (Wellington: Learning Media, 2000).
Ministry of Education, Guidelines for Tongan language programmes: planning guidelines to accompany Developing programmes for teaching PacificIslands languages (Wellington: Learning Media, 2000).
Ministry of Education, Pasifika Education Plan 2013-2017 (Wellington: Ministry of Education, 2012).
Outcomes and performance criteria
Outcome 1
Plan programmes to reflect and promote Tongan language, traditional beliefs, values and culture and Christian values.
Rangecertain kinds of faka’apa’apa to the tamai, tuofefine, tuonga’ane, and mehekitanga; sharing what you have with others; respect of others in the early childhood service and the community.
Performance criteria
1.1The programmes include Tongan Christian values and practices.
RangeChristian values include but are not limited to – love one another, sharing.
1.2The programmes include Tongan traditional beliefs and values.
Rangeincludes but is not limited to respect shown for – behaviour, dress code, language.
1.3The programmes include situations where children can learn and practise Tongan language, traditional customs, values, and protocols.
Rangemay include but is not limited to – dress code, behaviour when speaking and relating to others, basket and mat making, tapa making, garland making, music and dancing.
1.4Planning includes consultation with centre staff and the community and is in accordance with the organisation’s protocol for cultural activities.
Outcome 2
Implement programmes according to Tongan customs and traditions and Te Whāriki principles.
Performance criteria
2.1Implementation of programmes includes facilitation, and demonstrates ability to work with staff, parents, and children.
Outcome 3
Review the programmes.
Performance criteria
3.1Review identifies whether the programmes’ aims and objectives have been met.
3.2Review identifies the suitability and success of the planned activities for children.
3.3Review includes evidence of consultation with centre staff, parents, and community supporters.
Replacement information / This unit standard replaced unit standard 12688 and unit standard 12693.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 November 2008 / 31 December 2015
Rollover and Revision / 2 / 21 March 2013 / 31 December 2019
Review / 3 / 23 November 2017 / 31 December 2019
Consent and Moderation Requirements (CMR) reference / 0157
This CMR can be accessed at
NZQA National Qualifications ServicesSSB Code 130301 / New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2018 / / New Zealand Qualifications Aut