Skip to content
arboriculture student climbing tree with ropes

Applied Horticultural Services (Level 3) (Arboriculture)

New Zealand Certificate in Horticulture with strands in Arboriculture

SX1702

Course details

  • Feb 2025
  • One semester
  • Full-time or Part-time
  • $5,318*
  • You may qualify for fee-free study under MPTT*
  • Level 3
  • Hamilton Gardens Campus

Summary

This programme suits those who have some general horticultural experience or who have the desire to work in the arboriculture horticultural sector. Learn skills, knowledge, and attributes needed to work in the arboriculture industry under limited supervision, taking responsibility for work outcomes.

You will explore:
  • Chainsaw safety and operations
  • Chipper use
  • Arboriculture codes of practice
  • Ground duties
  • Tree climbing and equipment safety
  • Tree identification, planting, and care
  • Tree pruning and felling

View programme modules

Module codeModule nameLevelCredits Pre-requisites Co-requisites
HORT101Workplace Health and Safety13  
HORT211Provide Life Support22  
HORT201Provide First Aid21  
HORT202Chainsaw Rules25  
ARBO200Chainsaw Operation28HORT101, HORT211, HORT201, HORT324 
HORT324Managing First Aid in Emergency Situations32  
HORT325Teamwork33  
HORT326Active Listening33  
HORT327Performance Feedback33  
HORT328Chippers33HORT101, HORT211, HORT201, HORT324 
HORT329Ground Duties34  
HORT335Botany35  
HORT322Safety Near Electric Lines35  
ARBO300Nomenclature and Tree Identification36  
ARBO301Arboriculture Codes of Practice32  
ARBO302Tree Planting32  
ARBO303Understanding Tree Pruning33  
ARBO304Amenity Tree Pruning35  
ARBO305Tree Felling35ARBO200, HORT203 
ARBO400Climbing and Rescue410ARBO200, ARBO301 

 

Career/further opportunities

Graduates will have the qualifications necessary to become an arborist.

This practical, project-driven certificate is a pathway to our Advanced Horticultural Trades (Level 4) (Arboriculture) programme, where you will gain advanced tree work and care skills. You can then progress to the New Zealand Certificate in Arboriculture (Level 5), and eventually to the Diploma in Arboriculture (Level 6).

Disclaimers

Entry criteria

This programme is open to anyone who wants to study. You don’t need any previous study or work experience to apply.

Selection criteria

a) Candidates may be required to complete an interview and selection process. This may include the requirement to complete a Study Skills Assessment to demonstrate the level of academic skill necessary to successfully complete this programme.
b) To meet legal and health requirements, candidates must be physically able to carry out the practical components of the programme.
c) Prior to commencing the programme all candidates will be required to undertake a police check at a level sufficient for safe and effective practice within the field of horticulture.

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, with no individual band score lower than 5.0; or equivalent.

In accordance with industry guidelines, candidates will be expected to undertake drug screening at the commencement of this programme.

As some of the practical components within this programme are considered high risk, students will be required to submit to an initial drug screen, and may be required to submit to further drug screening if there is reasonable cause to suspect a student is under the influence of drugs or alcohol, as per Wintec’s Drug & Alcohol Policy (OP-16/04).

Want to see full details of the entry criteria?

Don't meet the entry criteria?

Pathways

Horticulture, Arboriculture, Landscape Design and Construction pathway diagram

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.

Your first day

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 1 2025

Date: Monday 3 February 2025
Time: 8.30am-4.30pm
Venue: Gate 2, Cobham Drive, Hamilton Gardens Campus

What you will need

​Please wear covered-toe shoes if you do not have safety boots.

Timetable information

All Wintec timetables are available online here.

How to find your way around

Campus maps can be found here.

Parking and bus information

Both the Rotokauri and City campuses have parking available - payment and permits may be required. The Gardens Campus has free parking available. Learn more about parking and find out about bus services here.

He reo pōwhiri, your official welcome to Wintec

Tēnei te mihi mahana ki a koe e piki nei, e kake nei ki te Kuratini o Waikato.

You are warmly invited to attend the official welcome to Wintec for all new students, staff and whānau (family) at either our marae, Te Kōpū Mānia o Kirikiriroa or Rotokauri campus. The pōwhiri is a welcoming ceremony involving mihimihi (speeches), waiata (singing), and will conclude with kai timotimo (light refreshments). Please gather at the campus hubs, and a staff member will guide you through our pōwhiri.

Click here to find out when the next pōwhiri will be.

Paying for your study

Course-related costs

Additional information

Booklist

Purchasing textbooks

If your programme requires you to have access to textbooks, these can be purchased through a range of suppliers listed below:

    New Zealand-based suppliers

    General book suppliers

    First aid certificate

    Health status

    Uniform

    Equipment

    Clinical placement

    Prospectus (course guide)

    The Wintec Prospectus (otherwise known as a course guide) outlines everything you need to know about Wintec. It contains information about the Wintec campuses, student life, and the programmes that are on offer.

    Access your copy of the Wintec Prospectus

    The Wintec Prospectus (course guide) is available by downloading the file - click on the document below to access the file. Alternatively, to request a copy via email or the post, please complete the form below.

    Request an emailable or printed copy of the Prospectus

    Portfolio

    Need help? Want to know how to get started?

    Leave your details here and we will come back to you:

    Wintec is part of Te Pūkenga - New Zealand Institute of Skills and Technology Learn More about Wintec Te Pūkenga.

    Learn with purpose

    Explore Te Pūkenga

    Te Kāwanatanga o Aotearoa - New Zealand Government

    Te Kāwanatanga o Aotearoa - New Zealand Government

    Copyright © 2022 Wintec