This programme teaches advanced technical skills around maintenance and management activities, as well as the skills for supervision and more senior roles. Projects for councils and residents will form part of the teaching, including the felling of large, difficult trees.
Students will also be involved in work experience trips to regional councils.
This programme builds on the knowledge gained in Applied Horticultural Services (Level 3), incorporating specialist techniques and understanding of arboriculture. The emphasis is on practical skills and technical expertise in tree assessment and care.
Students will learn aspects of professional practise, specialist arboriculture practices and the development of more advanced skills in tree climbing, pruning, felling and dismantling. The practical skills are supported with the development of skills in tree identification, knowledge of their specific requirements and uses, and knowledge of tree biology that will allow students to evaluate amenity trees and to diagnose tree health problems.
| Module Code | Module Name | Level | Credits | Pre-Requisites | Co-Requisites |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ARBO401 | Visual Assessments | 4 | 3 | ||
| ARBO402 | Identity and Present Trees | 4 | 6 | ||
| ARBO408 | Tree Biology | 4 | 5 | ||
| HORT319 | Chainsaw Maintenance | 3 | 10 | ||
| HORT320 | Soils and Plant Growth | 3 | 6 | ||
| HORT418 | Advance Felling | 4 | 10 | ||
| ARBO409 | Tree Health | 4 | 10 | ||
| ARBO410 | Tree Pruning | 4 | 12 | HORT425 | |
| HORT425 | Tree Climbing | 4 | 10 | ||
| HORT426 | Sectional Felling | 4 | 10 | HORT418, ARBO410, HORT425 | |
| HORT437 | Leading Projects in a Primary Industry Operation | 4 | 10 |
Arboriculture allows for an active outdoor lifestyle, with many opportunities in the industry for self-employment or advancement into management positions. The Advanced Horticultural Trades (Level 4) (Arboriculture) programme can lead to employment in amenity tree management, as an Arborist (Tree Surgeon), employed by a company or local authority or as a self-employed arboriculture contractor.
Graduates would be able to continue on to the advanced level of training delivered in the Diploma in Arboriculture (Level 6). There are also opportunities to become self-employed, to undertake arboriculture management positions, or options in technical fields relating to arboriculture.
You can apply for this programme if you meet one of the below options.
Based on study completed after school (tertiary study)
Based on discretionary entrance
If you don't meet any of the above options, and you think you have what it takes to complete this programme, you can apply for discretionary entrance. Your application may be accepted if you can demonstrate a good change of success. Approval of discretionary entrance applications is decided by the relevant manager. If your application is approved, your acceptance into further programmes relies on you demonstrating success in this programme.
Selection criteria
a) Candidates without relevant qualifications may be required to participate in an interview and selection process. The following may be considered in the selection process:
1) The completion of a study skills assessment to demonstrate the level of academic skill necessary to successfully complete the programme.
2) Previous experience working in the horticulture sector. May include previous employment and voluntary
work.
3) Personal qualities such as responsibility, teamwork and practical skills.
4) An aptitude for working in a public environment demonstrated through a reference from an employer where a candidate has worked with the public, or from a teacher attesting to social skills.
5) Candidates wishing to enrol on the arboriculture
strand must have completed the following unit standards: 6400, 6401, 6402, 1668, 2768, 2767, 6916, 6917 and 20574.
6) As some of the practical components within this programme are considered high risk, students may be required to submit to an
initial drug screen as per Wintec’s Drug & Alcohol Policy (OP-16/04).
b) To meet legal and health requirements, candidates must be physically able to carry out the practical components of the programme, including the ability to perform practical demonstrations and assessments.
c) Candidates with disabilities are eligible to enrol in this programme and will be provided with the necessary resources to attain the learning outcomes where practicable, but at the time of enrolment must notify the Equity/Disability Co-ordinator of their needs.
d) Some delivery maybe at locations which require arboriculture students to undertake a police check.
English language requirements
Candidates who have English as a second language are required to have an International English Language Test System (IELTS) score of 5.5 in the academic band, with no individual band score lower than 5.0; or equivalent.
Want to see full details of the entry criteria?
Don't meet the entry criteria?
To check what you need to gain direct entry to a course, review the entry criteria available on each programme page. These assist you in understanding what qualifications or experience are typically required to gain entry. You can contact our team at info@wintec.ac.nz or 0800 2 Wintec at any time for further guidance.
Are you ready for your first day of class? Check out your start date and where you need to be. You can also find useful information about studying at Wintec on our welcome page.
Semester 2 2025
Date: Wednesday 23 July 2025
Time: 8.30am-4.30pm
Venue: Hamilton Gardens Campus, Gate 2, Cobham Drive
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