2014
Internal Assessment
Geography
Achievement Standard 91009 (1.3)
Demonstrate geographic understanding of the sustainable use of an environment
Credits: 3
Version 2
The Poor Knights
Teacher guidelines and mark schedule
2014
Teacher Guidelines
The following guidelines are supplied to enable teachers to carry out valid and consistent assessment using this internal assessment
resource.
Context/setting
Students are asked to demonstrate geographic understanding of the sustainable use of an environment. This assessment is based on the
sustainability of tourism in the Poor Knights environment.
A sequence of teaching and learning needs to occur to develop students understanding of the achievement objectives and key concepts.
The relevant achievement objective at Level 6 is: ‘students will gain knowledge, skills, and experience to understand how people interact
with natural and cultural environments and that this interaction has consequences’. Some key concepts that could be developed are:
Environment - May be natural and/or cultural. They have particular characteristics and features which can be the result of natural and/or
cultural processes. The particular characteristics of an environment may be similar to and/or different from another.
Interaction - Involves elements of an environment affecting each other and being linked together. Interaction incorporates movement,
flows, connections, links and interrelationships. Landscapes are the visible outcome of interactions. Interaction can bring about
environmental change.
Sustainability - Involves adopting ways of thinking and behaving that allow individuals, groups, and societies to meet their needs and
aspirations without preventing future generations from meeting theirs. Sustainable interaction with the environment may be achieved by
preventing, limiting, minimizing or correcting environmental damage to water, air and soil, as well as considering ecosystems and
problems related to waste, noise, and visual pollution.
Students need to develop an understanding of the following:
 How and why the Poor Knights environment is used for tourism
 Consequences of the use on people
 Consequences of the use on places
 How environments can be used sustainably
Prior to this assessment, the teacher should provide background information about tourism – and consider looking at a different setting to
focus on the environment, the tourist uses of it, and how sustainable this is. Students will have been on a field trip and had a talk from Dive
Tutukaka.
2014
Students can be given 3-4 periods to complete the writing tasks of this assessment. The assessment is designed for completion
individually, in class under formal conditions. The intention of the achievement standard is that students should have time to use resources
supplied over a longer time frame than is available in an external assessment. This means reading over them in class prior to the
individual writing time.
Resource requirements
All required resources are supplied.
Additional information
To be supplied by Dive Tutukaka on field trip and students will record notes in field work booklet.
2014
Assessment Schedule: Sustainable Tourism at the Poor Knights 3 Credits
AS91009 Version 2: Demonstrate geographic understanding of the sustainable use of an environment
Evidence
Judgement Statements
Achievement
Merit
Excellence
1
Description of how and why
people use the Poor Knights for
tourism.
People at the Poor Knights can
snorkel, scuba dive, kayak or
paddle board or just sight see
from the boat. They can see a
diverse range of fish species, do
bird watching and enjoy the
spectacular cliffs, caves and
arches found in this
environment.
The features of the Poor Knights
that attract the tourists to this
area are that many of the
features are unique, they can
only be seen here, such as the
Buller Shearwater birds or the
largest sea cave in the world
(Riko Riko cave). There is a much
more diverse range of species
seen here due to the EAC (east
Australian Current) than can be
seen closer to the main land. It is
one of the top 10 dive spots in
the world, rated 2nd best
coastline by National Geographic
Magazine…
Describes activities that tourists
can participate in. These could
include snorkelling, diving,
photography, swimming, paddle
boarding, boat cruises…
(How they use environment)
See evidence column
AND
Describes the features of the
Poor Knights that attract tourists
to the area by referring to the
natural and/or cultural features
such as
(Why they use this environment)
See evidence column
A description is required – a list
or bullet points is not sufficient
Minimum requirement 1 activity
and 1 feature to meet that aspect
of the standard
Eg people snorkel here because
there is such a diverse range of
fish.
For Achieved only
For Achieved only
2014
Evidence
Judgement Statements
Achievement
2a Explanation of consequences
of tourism at the Poor Knights
on the people
Describes impacts or effects of
tourism at the Poor Knights on
people
People:
Example:
An effect of tourism on people in
this environment is the tourists
get enjoyment from the activities
they can do at the Poor Knights.
Local people are able to earn
money working for Dive
Tutukaka.
Economic impacts:
Tourism brings employment,
(40 people employed in summer
and 8 over winter)
income, earnings and has a flow
on effect into local economy
higher standard of living
negative – jobs can be seasonal
or part time only
tourist numbers have stayed
stable over past 10 years
world wide recession – small
drop in numbers of tourists lately
5 companies operating in
environment only 2 over entire
year
Social impacts:
enjoyment, leisure, fun, interest,
education, pleasure
dive pool being built for training
at Dive Tutukaka headquarters.
Recreational fishermen often
catch bigger species of fish just
outside the marine reserve due
to the increased biomass of the
fish in the reserve.
People can be fined as breaking
DOC rules is an offence – one
man fined $50,000 for going on
land with his dog.
Merit
Excellence
Explains impacts or effects of tourism at
the Poor Knights on people
Fully explains impacts or effects of tourism at the Poor Knights on
people
Example:
Tourism at the Poor Knights has impacts on people both socially and
economically. The impacts can also be positive and negative as tourists
and locals interact with the natural features in this environment. Tourists
are impacted positively be the social experience they get when visiting
the Poor Knights. They gain enjoyment from snorkelling or diving at areas
such as The Gardens, and are well informed by the knowledgeable Dive
Tutukaka crew on the wonders and uniqueness of this environment. They
can learn about Buller Shearwater birds (2.5 million of them) who only
nest here in this environment during spring after migrating from the
northern hemisphere. Also tourists can experience other unique features
such as the dancing lights in Riko Riko cave – the largest sea cave in the
world. Tourism at the Poor Knights has positive economic impacts. 40
people are employed by Dive Tutukaka over the busy summer season and
their earnings contribute to and have a flow on effect in sustaining other
local businesses in the coast community of Ngunguru, Tutukaka and
Matapouri. The company has been operating for 14 years and 8 people
are employed for the entire year. Negatively, the business opportunities
are only seasonal and tourist numbers fluctuate which leads to
uncertainty in the job market. The majority of the jobs are seasonal and
part time. The world wide recession is also currently having an impact on
numbers of tourists visiting the region which has led to a downturn of
earnings for the company.
Example:
People are impacted by the enjoyment
they get from doing tourist activities
such as diving, snorkelling and paddle
boarding at the Poor Knights marine
reserve. Tourists can enjoy the
spectacular and unique features of the
fish and plant life at areas such as The
Gardens. They enjoy sights such as the
largest arch in the southern hemisphere
and spectacular 60m high cliffs. Locals
can get jobs working on one of the five
boats Dive Tutukaka operates. The job
gives them earnings to have a good
standard of living. Dive Tutukaka
company must spend money
maintaining their equipment and boats
such as the $1.5milion Perfect Day
vessel to ensure tourists have a safe and
enjoyable trip.
Specific evidence is referred to.
Specific evidence is referred to.
Describes rather than explains
Explains rather than describes
Includes geographic concepts, terminology and insight
AND
AND
2014
Evidence
Judgement Statements
Achievement
2b Explanation of impacts or
effects of tourism at the Poor
Knights on the environment
Describes impacts or effects of
tourism at the Poor Knights on
the environment
Environment:
Minimal impact , no touching or
taking or harming of anything in
the environment
Company uses biodegradable
products for cleaning gear, have
recycle bins, compost bins and
self-contained toilets
DOC rules reinforced by tourism
companies
No feeding of fish or fishing or
landing on islands.
Unique features
Largest sea cave in world
Largest arch in southern
hemisphere
EAC current brings tropical
species
Endemic species:
Poor Knights lily, Pohutukawa,
Tuatara, Giant weta, Gecko,
Buller shearwaters
Fish species: Snapper, Blue and
pink mao mao, Sting ray, Turtles,
Black angel fish…..
Boaties use minimum amount of
anchor chain to reduce damage
to seabed
Doc rules are there to protest the
native species and to prevent the
accidental introduction of pests
such as cats and rats and weeds.
Example:
The impact on the environment
due to tourism at the Poor
Knights is small. Tourists are not
allowed to touch anything or feed
the fish but just enjoy the sights
while they are there. The boats
have self-contained toilets which
don’t leak pollution into the
ocean.
Merit
Explains consequences of tourism at
the Poor Knights on the environment
Example:
Maybe some specific evidence
but is not required by standard.
Has described rather than
explained
The environment does not face much
impact due to tourist activities. The
impacts are mainly positive. The Dive
Tutukaka boats such as Perfect Day,
contain all their toilet waste instead of
letting it pollute the sea. They have
compost and recycling bins to reduce
waste produced by the tourists. They
also use biodegradable products to
clean equipment such as fins and masks.
Dive Tutukaka enforces DOC policies of
no landing, touching or feeding the fish
to make sure impact on the
environment from humans is minimised.
Has explained rather than described
Specific evidence is referred to.
Concept or example could be just tacked
on but not really integrated to show full
understanding
Excellence
AND
Fully explains impacts or effects of tourism at the Poor Knights on the
environment
Example:
The Poor Knights environment faces minimal impact due to tourism
operating in the area. Tourists are told not to touch, harm or land on the
islands. This ensures the endemic plants such as the Poor Knights lily are
able to flourish in their natural habitat. The islands contain many
endemic species of flora and fauna due to the separation of the volcanic
islands from the mainland for over 11 million years. The islands and the
surrounding waters for 800m have been a marine and nature reserve
since 1998 as they have been recognised as an environment of
outstanding natural beauty containing many unique features. This
perception has encouraged the use of the islands for tourism while
minimising the impact humans have when interacting with nature in the
region. Dive Tutukaka make sure their operation has little impact as
possible on the natural habitat. They have self-contained toilet systems,
compost and recycling bins on board all boats for tourist waste. They
promote the Department of Conservation policies of not feeding the fish.
This allows for tourists to observe the natural behaviour of fish such as
the blue and pink Mao Mao. Snorkelers and divers do not experience any
aggressive fish behaviour as they are not searching humans for food. This
contributes to better dive or snorkel experience for the tourists
interacting with nature in the marine reserve. Dive Tutukaka also use
biodegradable products when cleaning any equipment such as masks,
snorkels, fins and wetsuits. This practice minimises the chemicals that
may get washed into the sea and lessens any impact or changes that
could result on the natural flora and fauna at the Poor Knights. Positively
the impact of tourism on this environment is enhanced by the visitors
who are educated about the unique features such as the endangered
Tuatara, who number up to 1000 on the islands due to policies and
protection by Department of Conservation staff.
Provides specific evidence and detailed reasons throughout the answer.
Plus integrates concept(s) and geographic terminology showing insight
2014
Evidence
Judgement Statements
Achievement
3
Explanation of the sustainability,
or otherwise, of the Poor Knights
for tourism. (now and into the
future)
Yes sustainable currently – only 5
companies operate in busy
season and only 2 all year.
Follow DOC policies – no feeding,
touching landing on islands.
Nature reserve and marine
reserve – awaiting world heritage
status.
Enviro gold award from Qual
mark.
New tours planned kayaking and
overnight tours.
Sustainable actions such as
biodegradable products for
cleaning.
Compost and recycle bins on
board. Self contained toilets.
Scientific research conducted by
DOC on species – records show
snapper have doubled in size
and numbers of fish in reserve
have increased.
Describes the sustainability or
otherwise of continued use of the
Poor Knights environment for
tourism
Merit
Explains the sustainability or otherwise
of continued use of the Poor Knights
environment for tourism.
Example:
Example:
Tourism at the Poor Knights is
sustainable. The policies of
protection ensure that the
natural environment features will
be there for tourists for many
years to come.
Describes rather than explains
Tourism at the Poor Knights is
sustainable. The dive companies such as
Dive Tutukaka work in with government
groups such as DOC to ensure that
protection policies are followed. The no
touching or feeding policies mean the
fish are able to naturally enjoy this
unique habitat. The research shows that
the snapper size has doubled since they
started keeping records about 20 years
ago. The companies that take tourists
there would not want to jeopardise their
economic future by harming any part of
800m marine and nature reserve and
therefore lessening the enjoyment
tourists get by snorkelling or diving in
this environment.
Explains rather than describes
Includes detailed and specific
information on sustainable actions
May not include future sustainability
Excellence
Fully explains how tourism at the Poor Knights is sustainable. Includes a
variety of detailed and specific evidence of sustainable actions. (now
and into the future) also Includes reference to geographic concept(s)
and uses geographic terminology.
Student shows a comprehensive understanding of sustainability.
Example:
Tourism at the Poor Knights is currently sustainable. There are only five
companies that operate in the reserve and of them only 2 companies
operate all year round. The tourist numbers have remained stable for the
past 10 years, in fact there have been a few less just recently with the
impact of the world wide recession. Dive Tutukaka has a close working
relationship with DOC to ensure the sustainability of the environment.
They follow their policies of no landing on the islands, look but don’t
touch and no feeding the fish. They have this perception because they
are committed to ensuring the environment remains as natural as
possible as that is what tourists want, especially with the global trend of
eco tourism experiences on the increase. This ensures the sustainability
and the future of their tourist operations. Dive Tutukaka has been
awarded the Qualmark enviro gold award in recognition of running a
sustainable tourist operation. Future tours they have in mind such as
kayaking tours and overnight stays will also follow current environmental
policies. Sustainability into the future is guaranteed if the companies
continue to follow current sustainable policies and practices. The rules
are in place and set by government bodies to ensure that the unique and
special endemic features are there for all to enjoy into the future. The
fact that the environment has been a partial reserve since 1981 and fully
protected since 1998 demonstrates the importance NZ government has
placed on the region. They are also awaiting world heritage status to
further recognise the uniqueness of this environment. If the popularity
increased with tourists and the numbers of companies operating
increased the interaction with nature will also increase and there might
have to be stricter controls over business practices to ensure continued
sustainability. Scientists keep a close eye on changes and trends through
their research and policies would be adjusted accordingly.
Includes future sustainability
Overall Judgement Summary Statement: Final grades will be decided using professional judgement based on a holistic examination of the evidence
provided against the criteria in the Achievement Standard