New Zealand Certificate in Horticulture (Arboriculture) (Level 3) and New Zealand Certificate in Horticulture Services (Arboriculture) (Level 4)

• Physical fitness
• Planning and organisational skills
• Good communication and team work skills
• A good work ethic
• An eye for detail 

Academic requirements

• NCEA Level 1 OR equivalent.
• Applicants must have the physical and cognitive ability required for tree climbing and working at heights. A medical certificate may be requested to support an individual’s eligibility to enrol in the programme.            

English Language requirements

• If English is not your first language, you must provide:
  • New Zealand University Entrance OR
  • Overall Academic IELTS 5.5 with no individual band score lower than 5.0 (achieved in one test completed in the last two years), OR
  • Acceptable alternative evidence of the required IELTS (see here for NZQA proficiency table and here for list of recognised proficiency tests).

If you need to improve your English Language skills, we offer a wide range of English programmes.   

Special entry

• In exceptional circumstances, any applicant who does not meet the academic entry requirements may be granted entry to the programme where they supply evidence of their ability to succeed in the programme to the Learning Leader of the Programme. 

Other requirements

• If accepted, you must comply with the current Drug and Alcohol Policy for the Arboriculture Programme.
• All students will complete the National Adult Literacy and Numeracy Assessment tool on commencement and on completion of their programme.  

• Applications that meet the entry requirements are processed on a first come-first served basis until the programme has reached capacity.

Usual timetable hours are Monday-Wednesday, 8.30am – 4.30 pm; Thursday 9.00am - 3.00pm and no class on Friday’s unless specified by your Lecturer

On average you will undertake three days a week of practical instruction and one day a week of theoretical teaching. In addition to this you will carry out your own self-directed study. It is expected that you will participate in four weeks of work experience during your programme.

There are a number of health and safety issues associated with the practical delivery of arboriculture training. You will be advised of the physical risks and requirements of the programme either in person or by telephone before you enrol. You will be advised of the need to purchase the listed clothing and equipment and the reasons for this. 

Risks include injury to the body due to the physical nature of arboriculture work (manual labour, lifting, bending, falls from working at heights, eyesight) and from using sharp tools and equipment (secateurs, hand saws, chainsaws, spades) and larger machinery (chipper). There is a risk from poisonous plants, insect stings, the physical environment (excessive heat or cold, wet weather, working in isolation and machinery noise). 

There are some pieces of equipment that are compulsory to be able to complete this programme. Below is a gear list which shows you what these are and how much they'll cost. 

2022 gear list for Arboriculture programme >

Please note

• Please do not buy equipment until the programme starts. 
• TTAF will not cover the cost of these additional items. You can pay for these yourself or apply for a loan or allowance through Studylink (see more in Student loans/allowances with TTAF section below). 
• If you have any questions about equipment/gear purchase, please email Ben.Fentiman@op.ac.nz

Student loans and allowances are for domestic students who have lived in New Zealand for three years. For information about student loans and allowances please visit the Studylink website. It is important to apply for your student loan/allowance at the same time as you apply for this programme, due to the length of time Studylink take to process. Loan/allowance applications can be cancelled at any time if you decide to withdraw your programme application or if it is unsuccessful.