Vehicle and Machinery programmes and standards detail high physical risk activities that are used commonly across the food and fibre sector. Vehicles, including light utility vehicles, quad bikes, all-terrain vehicles, tractors, and motorbikes, are essential tools used daily on farms and land-based enterprises across the country, they also pose a risk – each year approximately five people lose their lives in quad bike accidents on New Zealand farms, and over 100 severe injuries are reported.  

It is vital that the programmes and standards that detail use of these vehicles and machinery are delivered and assessed to a level that meets the national standard. 

Over the last year, Vehicle and Machinery programmes and standards have been a moderation focus area for Muka Tangata, as we work alongside providers to improve moderation verification rates. 

Verification rate is the percentage of moderated assessments that meet that national standard. To meet the standard, an ākonga (learner) needs to show that they are competent by either answering all the questions correctly and/or having their competency verified by the supervisor/employer. Post-assessment moderation also looks at assessor judgments to ensure that assessment undertaken is fair, valid, and consistent for ākonga. 

Through pre-moderation of assessment materials, as well as hosting group seminars and individual provider workshops, we worked alongside providers to ensure confidence in their mahi. 

As a result of this engagement, we saw a substantial improvement in Vehicle and Machinery provider compliance (the number of providers meeting the standard), from 54% in 2023 to 85% in 2024. A positive increase was also seen in the number of samples meeting the standard, from 63% in 2023 to 73% in 2024. 

We value the efforts of providers working to improve their assessment practices. These improvements ultimately benefit ākonga, enabling them to flourish in the food and fibre sector.