New Zealand Certificate in Horticulture (General) (Level 3)
Enrol Now
New Zealand Certificate in Horticulture (General) (Level 3)STUDY FOR FREE: We are offering this course completely FREE* to anyone who enrols into our 13 October intake!
This programme gives you a solid grounding in soil and plant sciences, with plenty of practical training to build your skills. You’ll learn the techniques needed to grow and care for plants in orchards, nurseries, glasshouses, and other horticultural settings.
It’s ideal if you’re looking to start a career in horticulture or want to strengthen the skills you already use in the industry. Whether you’re aiming to join the workforce, develop your own garden or lifestyle block, or simply grow your confidence with plants, this blended programme gives you both knowledge and hands-on experience to succeed.
Blended learning combines the flexibility of our online platform with the hands-on experience of in-class practical lessons, giving you the best of both worlds. Your classes will include practical lessons, classroom discussions, visits with industry partners and more!
This blended course starts on Monday 13th October, with the first session in person on Saturday 18th October for 6 hours at a Land Based Training campus in either Napier or Palmerston North.
*Our Level 3 Horticulture is offered at Zero Fees for the 13 October 2025 intake only and available to domestic students only.
You will learn:
A fundamental understanding of plant anatomy and propagation.
How organic Market Gardens & Farms function.
Approaches to growing plants/crop/crop modelling.
NZ soil science and nutrition through a Māori Cultural lens - Hua Parakore.
How to solve common problems such as pest and disease management and environmental conditions.
With practical projects where you will start growing your own plants.
How to share your skills with your wider community.
Course start dates
Napier & Palmerston North
October 13th, 2025
“I love gardening and this course is an excellent opportunity to systematically learn to be a better gardener. I’m able to fit the course around my work, family, and other commitments. I’m thinking more strategically about growing my own food, what I want to plant, when and why. My tutor is extremely knowledgeable, I’ve taken advantage of his years of experience by email and over live chats”
Enrolment interview/questionnaire must confirm student capability to safely undertake the programme required physical gardening components such as digging a garden plot, lifting bags of soils, bending down to ground level.
Suitable sites for practical projects: your house, family or friend’s garden, a community garden, an existing horticulture operation (if you already work there), urban garden areas. Learners must have access to approximately 1.5m x 1.5m garden area or multiple planters, boxes and pots. Learners will need to plant at least 4 types of plants/crops. These need to be planted in separate containers or areas in a garden.
Basic gardening tools
Learners should be aware of materials that are required for this programme. They can access most of these tools on the secondhand market or borrow from friends and family to reduce costs.
Digging: spade and/or shovel, garden fork, small trowel, wheelbarrow (optional for larger spaces)
Watering: watering can or hose with adjustable nozzle
Safety: gardening gloves, mask, suitable shoes when digging
Seed growing: glass jars, seed trays, plant pots, seeds, growing medium (soil), mulch/plant food, weed/pest control products, an area inside or small greenhouse for seed propagation, secateurs.
The practical sessions are compulsory & required to complete the programme. After the first in person practical session, these will happen every fortnight thereafter and the tutor will confirm the dates for you.
Open Entry
Domestic applicants with English as a second language: must be proficient in English language.
International applicants: General or Academic score of 5 with no band score lower than 5 or equivalent NZQA Recognized International English Proficiency (Enrolment available for Face-to-Face delivery option only in accordance with international student visa conditions.)
Access to a computer or laptop, a microphone and a reliable internet connection.
FEES FREE STUDY
To find out if you are eligible for Fees Free study please find out more here or visit the government Fees Free Website.
STUDENT LOANS
If you meet certain conditions you can get a student loan and allowances. Find out if you meet the conditions by calling StudyLink on Freephone 0800 88 99 00 or visit www.studylink.govt.nz.
COURSE COSTS
The cost can be different depending on the subject and duration of the course. View the course cost for New Zealand students here.
