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Seedlings in pots waiting to be planted in garden bed

New Zealand Certificate in Primary Industry Skills (Level 2)

Sustainable Horticulture

NZ2218

Course details

  • Feb 2025
    Jul 2025
  • One semester
  • Part-time
  • Fees-free*
  • Level 2
  • Hamilton Gardens Campus

Summary

Discover how to take your kitchen garden to your plate, learn to grow your own vegetables and fruit, and master sustainable practices that promote a greener, healthier planet.

You will learn basic gardening techniques from seed germination to growing and harvesting, how to set up a vegetable garden, and how to plant and manage fruit trees. Organic practices will form an integral part of this programme, and you will also learn how to feed your plants and soil, prune fruit trees, and safe practices.

Our approach is hands-on, where you will practice what you learn at our Gardens Campus and explore sustainable methods and practices focusing on water management, soil care, and garden ecosystems. This course has been strategically positioned to begin at the start of the Spring season and is designed to fit in with your other life commitments, with scheduled classes two days a week.

Our passionate tutor will guide you at your own pace so that you can enjoy getting your hands in the dirt and understand the simple ways to grow your own food. From garden to plate, you too can feed your whānau, save on your budget, and enjoy the delicious taste of organic home-grown success.

What you will learn

Over a semester, you will learn about the following areas:

  • Vegetable gardening
  • Horticulture practices
  • Home orchard growing with a focus on trees and fruit
  • Safety practices

View programme modules

Module codeModule nameLevelCredits Pre-requisites Co-requisites
CPI201Safe Practices210  
CPI202Introduction to Primary Industries230  

Career/further opportunities

This course is a great stepping stone to further study in amenity horticulture. You can pathway through to our Applied Horticultural Services (Level 3) (Amenity) programme and then progress to the Advanced Horticultural Trades (Level 4) (Amenity). You may also enter entry-level roles such as a farm assistant, orchard worker, or harvester.

Disclaimers

Entry criteria

This programme is open to anyone who wants to study. You do not need any previous study or work experience to apply.

Selection criteria

All applicants who meet the entry requirements are accepted onto the programme until the maximum class sizes are reached, then a waiting list is established.

English language requirements

This programme has no English language requirements.

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: Wednesday 12 February 2025
Time: 9.30am-2pm
Venue: Hamilton Gardens Campus

Semester 2 2025

Date: Wednesday 30 July 2025
Time: 9.30am-2pm
Venue: Hamilton Gardens Campus

What you will need

We recommend you wear steel cap safety boots; however, 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

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