The NZ Diploma in Rural Animal Veterinary Technology (Level 6) is only available as a highly blended delivery.  We do not run on-campus classes for this programme. You will complete your study from wherever you are based in New Zealand, in conjunction with farm and vet clinic placements.    

What does highly blended mean?  A highly blended programme is delivered online, but you’re still expected to actively engage with your lecturers and classmates on Microsoft Teams. You’ll be given weekly guidance on what to study, and you’ll have scheduled online lectures that form an essential part of your learning. In addition to the online components, there are compulsory block courses that you must attend in person. 

Because this is a highly blended course, having reliable computer access and a consistently strong internet connection is essential. You’ll be using platforms like Moodle and Microsoft Teams regularly to access learning materials, submit assessments, attend online sessions, and stay in touch with tutors and classmates. Being confident with basic digital tasks — navigating websites, using email, creating and saving documents, and joining video calls — will make your study experience much smoother. If any of these feel unfamiliar, it’s worth brushing up before the programme begins. 

How long do I study for? 

The Diploma in Rural Animal Veterinary Technology is offered as a two-year full-time programme or can be completed over four years part-time for those balancing study with work and other commitments. The programme must be completed within 6 years from date of first enrolment.  

What will you learn?  

The Rural Animal Technology Diploma consists of 13 compulsory courses designed to develop both theoretical knowledge and practical competence. Learners will complete 8 theory-based courses covering anatomy and physiology, rural animal health and disease management, parasitology and diagnostics, husbandry and behaviour, and the fundamentals of working as a rural veterinary technician. Alongside these, 5 practical courses provide education and the application of essential skills such as safe animal handling, body condition scoring, accurate record keeping, administering injections, and applying best-practice husbandry techniques across a range of rural animal species, and so much more, 

Courses  

ANML5310 Fundamentals for Rural Veterinary Technicians 
Introduces the core knowledge and professional expectations required of rural veterinary technicians. Learners explore key industry roles, animal welfare principles, safety requirements, communication skills, and the foundational competencies needed for on-farm and clinic-based work. 

ANML5311 Anatomy and Physiology 
Covers the structure and function of body systems relevant to rural animal species. Learners study major physiological processes, how body systems interact, and how anatomy relates to animal health, husbandry, disease, and clinical procedures. 

ANML5312 Rural Animal Husbandry 
Focuses on safe and effective husbandry practices across a range of farmed species. Learners develop skills in feeding, handling, housing, reproduction basics, and welfare considerations, as well as understanding seasonal demands in rural production systems. 

ANML5313 Rural Animal Health and Disease 
Introduces common health conditions encountered in rural practice. Learners examine disease processes, prevention strategies, clinical signs, treatment principles, and the technician’s role in supporting animal health under veterinary direction. 

ANML5306 Practicum 1 
Introduces the foundations of safe, confident practice in rural environments. Learners focus on health and safety, basic farming practices, animal handling, and applying introductory anatomy knowledge in real-world settings. 

ANML5314 Practicum 2 
Builds on the first practicum with increased focus on rural animal husbandry and health. Learners further develop handling, observation, and routine care skills across a range of production species. 

ANML6309 Parasitology and Diagnostics 
Covers key parasites affecting rural animal species and the diagnostic techniques used in veterinary practice. Learners gain skills in sample collection, preparation, and interpretation, as well as understanding parasite lifecycles, prevention, and control programmes. 

ANML6310 Rural Animal Disease Management 
Explores the management of significant production animal diseases. Learners study disease surveillance, treatment plans, vaccination programmes, biosecurity, and herd/flock-level health strategies, with a focus on the technician’s role in supporting veterinary care. 

ANML6311 Rural Animal Medical, Surgical, and Acute Support 
Examines the support tasks rural veterinary technicians perform in clinical, surgical, and emergency situations. Learners develop practical skills in patient monitoring, wound and injury management, surgical assistance, fluid therapy basics, and acute care support. 

ANML6312 Professionalism and Sustainable Practice 
Focuses on professional conduct, communication, cultural competence, sustainability, and ethical decision-making within rural veterinary environments. Learners explore safe practice, record-keeping, wellbeing, teamwork, and the long-term sustainability of rural industries. 

ANML6313 Practicum 3 
Expands practical capability into parasitology, basic diagnostics, and disease recognition. Learners begin applying diagnostic techniques and contributing to early-stage health assessments under supervision. 

ANML6314 Practicum 4 
Continues development in parasitology, diagnostics, and disease management. Learners take on more complex tasks, strengthen their clinical reasoning, and deepen their understanding of rural disease control practices. 

ANML6315 Practicum – Capstone 
Integrates the full scope of rural veterinary technician practice. Learners support medical, surgical, and acute care tasks while demonstrating strong professionalism, teamwork, communication, and readiness for industry practice.  

Who are your lecturers?  

Click HERE to read about your lecturers.  

Block Courses  

There are two compulsory block courses in your first year, and these are required for all learners, whether you are studying full time or part time. Additional block courses will take place in the later years of study, with the exact number based on your enrolment to be confirmed. All ākonga | students must attend all block courses, the first one is scheduled early in the programme to ensure you are prepared before entering work placements. 

 
Please note that locations may vary, as venues sometimes operate on waitlists for preferred dates. 

Scheduled dates for Block Course ONE, 2026: 
• Auckland: 7–9 March 
• Dunedin: 14–16 March 
• Wairarapa: 21–23 March 

 Block Course 1: Foundations of Rural Practice 
This first block course establishes the groundwork for confident, safe practice in rural environments. Learners focus on essential health and safety, basic farming practices, introductory animal handling, and applying early anatomy knowledge in hands-on activities. 

Block Course 2: Husbandry and Animal Health 
This block develops the key skills introduced earlier, with a deeper focus on rural animal husbandry and health. Learners build confidence in routine care tasks, observation skills, and understanding day-to-day management across a range of production species. 

Block Course 3: Parasitology, Diagnostics, and Disease Management 
This block extends capability into parasitology, sample collection, basic diagnostics, and early disease recognition. Learners begin linking clinical signs to disease processes and develop skills that support the work covered in Practicum 3 and 4. 

Block Course 4: Capstone Skills and Advanced Support 
The final block brings together the programme’s advanced applied components. Learners engage with medical, surgical, and acute care support tasks while also strengthening professionalism, communication, and readiness for rural veterinary technician practice. This block complements the final practicum and remaining theory modules. 

What do you need to bring to block course? 

Block Course One 

• Note-taking equipment 
• Your OP uniform (details provided below) 
• Suitable wet-weather gear for dairy farm visits 
• Clean, well-maintained gumboots 

All equipment must be in clean, tidy good working order. 

Additional information: 
• You are responsible for your own travel to and from the block course, as well as your accommodation while attending. 
• Transport for farm visits and related activities during the block course will be arranged for you. 

Do I need a uniform? How do I order a name badge?  

Yes. You will need branded overalls and shirt, plus gumboots, a stethoscope and dairy-farm wet-weather bib overalls and a name badge at the first block course. Warm layers or thermals are also recommended for winter placement work. If you are working in the industry and are supplied overalls, you can purchase an Otago Polytechnic patch and stitch it to the left chest. Self-supplied overalls and all uniform (especially gumboots, boots, wet weather overalls) must be in excellent condition and clean for block course and placements. Uniform items and your name badge can be viewed and ordered online. Please contact Arrow Uniforms directly for questions about sizing, ordering or purchasing queries.

Ordering information: 
• Uniforms are ordered through: https://otagopolytech.myarrow.nz/ 
• Create an account first — you’ll then receive a password to access the ordering portal. 
• Zip is available at checkout if you prefer to spread the cost. 

Deadline for ordering uniform items is 6th February 2026 

You can also check out Otago Polytechnic Animal Health Buy, Sell Exchange Facebook Group for quality second hand items. https://www.facebook.com/groups/OPSVN2ndhand  

Work Placement (Practicum) – What You Need to Know  

  
As part of your qualification, you’ll complete  FOUR practicums plus the capstone course. Learners are required to complete a MINIMUM of 750 hours of practicum, spread across the dedicated practicum courses and encompasses a range of placement environments such as farm placement and rural vet clinic placement. Each course focuses on developing different practical skills and competencies essential for rural veterinary technology. Students must secure their own placement in a rural veterinary clinic to meet these requirements. Please note that failure to arrange appropriate work placement may prevent completion of the programme. Practical assessments will include dairy cattle, sheep as well as at least one other rural species. There is no equine in this programme.

Always remember: your placement is a privilege, not a right. You are a guest in the work environment, and their agreement to support you is voluntary. If your behaviour, attitude, or work ethic impacts the work placement negatively, they have the right to withdraw their support at any time.