New Zealand Certificate in Horticulture (Nursery Production) (Level 3) and New Zealand Certificate in Horticulture Production (Fruit Production) (Level 4)

Location

Central Otago

Duration

One year full-time; part-time not available

Delivery

On campus with hands-on training and work experience 

Credits

160

DescLevel

160

Intakes

February and July

Apply

Until start date

    Study breaks content

  • Location
    Intake
    Study breaks
  • Cromwell, Central Otago
    19 February 2024
    1 July 2024 - 19 July 2024
    15 April 2024 - 26 April 2024
    30 September 2024 - 11 October 2024
  • Cromwell, Central Otago
    17 February 2025
    23 June 2025 - 11 July 2025
    14 April 2025 - 25 April 2025
    22 September 2025 - 3 October 2025
Gain the fundamental skills and knowledge required of horticulturists in orchards, vineyards, nurseries or any other major commercial operation with this hands-on programme.

Employment opportunities are extremely diverse in this industry and, with motivation and hard work, you may find yourself working as an irrigation technician, fruit grower, plant propagator, vineyard supervisor or even at the head of your own business!

Successful graduates of this programme will receive both the New Zealand Certificate in Horticulture (Level 3) (Nursery Production)  and the New Zealand Certificate in Horticulture Production (Level 4) (Fruit Production).

This qualification is a 50-50 mix of theoretical and practical studies and your learning will be based in the campus plant nursery, modern glasshouses, and the ten-hectare Otago Polytechnic crop production facility where wine grapes and cherries are grown. You will also undertake work experience within Central Otago's extensive horticulture industry, enabling you to develop real-world skills and forge important relationships. 

Skills required

  • An enjoyment of working outdoors
  • Physical fitness
  • Planning and organisational skills
  • Good communication skills
  • An eye for detail.

Entry requirements

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

Want your existing skills recognised?

If you have extensive knowledge and skills due to practical experience in this area, enquire about our recognition of prior learning process at Capable NZ. You may have already gained credits towards this qualification.

Additional documentation

You need to provide academic records, proof of identity and proof of residency (where appropriate).

Selection procedure

Applications will be processed as they are received. If the number of applications exceeds the number of places available, applicants will be placed on a waiting list in the order that they applied.   

You will study

This qualification is a 50-50 mix of theoretical and practical studies and your learning will be based in the campus plant nursery, modern glasshouses, and the ten-hectare Otago Polytechnic crop production facility where wine grapes and cherries are grown. You will also undertake work experience within Central Otago's extensive horticulture industry, enabling you to develop real-world skills and forge important relationships.  

Qualification structure

New Zealand Certificate in Horticulture
(Level 3) (Nursery Production)
70 credits

Course

Propagation

Plant Identification and Selection

Nursery Plant Care

Plant Science

Communication

Credits

15

15

15

15

10

New Zealand Certificate in Horticulture
Production (Level 4) (Fruit Production)
90 credits

Course

Viticulture Canopy Management

Orchard Canopy Management

Soils and Water

Seasonal Tasks

Pests, Weeds and Agrichemicals

Machinery Tools and Equipment

Communication

Credits

15

15

15

10

15

10

10

Your workload

You should expect to spend a minimum of 30 hours a week on this programme.

Further study options

Advance your knowledge with the New Zealand Diploma in Horticulture Production (Level 5) (Fruit Production). Horticulture may also be studied at degree-level in New Zealand.

Additional costs

You must have clothing and footwear suitable for the outdoors.

Paying for your study

TTAF

The Government’s Targeted Training and Apprenticeship Fund (TTAF) is currently running but will end in December 2022. That means only your 2022 study will be covered. You may be able to get some financial help for your remaining study through the Fees Free scheme if you’re eligible (see info below).

Whilst this programme is free for you to study during 2022, the TTAF fund only covers tuition fees and compulsory costs such as student levies. It does not cover any additional costs or living costs. You can pay for additional and living costs by yourself if that is possible or by applying for a loan or allowance through Studylink (which is only available for domestic learners).      

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. 

For information about student loans and allowances please visit the Studylink website

Fees Free

The Government is also running a funding scheme called Fees Free for domestic learners. This scheme normally pays for your first year of study if you’ve never been enrolled in tertiary study over 60 credits at Level 3 or higher in New Zealand. They have confirmed that TTAF does not impact on a learner’s entitlement to also access the Fees Free scheme. 

So, you’ll be covered by TTAF for your 2022 study and, if you would have originally been eligible for Fees Free, you’ll be able to access that to cover some of your remaining study. 

You can check your Fees Free eligibility here > 

Fees Free only covers your tuition fees. You would still need to pay for things like accommodation, living costs and placement transport costs.  

Again, you can pay for these costs by yourself if possible or by applying for a loan or allowance through Studylink (only available for domestic learners). 

If you have any questions about student loans and allowances, please email our Studylink Advisor: Amanda.McAra@op.ac.nz 

Intakes:

Course Description Dates
25-COT-FY Cromwell, Central Otago 17 February 2025 - Full time on campus combined with Fruit Production Programme