New Zealand Certificate in Conservation (Operations) (Level 4)
The West Coast is home to the largest proportion of conservation land in the country, making it an excellent place to learn about conservation.
Domestic
Blended learning
Environmental conservation in New Zealand involves a range of activities and initiatives aimed at protecting the country’s unique flora, fauna and ecosystems.
The West Coast is home to the largest proportion of conservation land in the country, making it an excellent place to learn about conservation.
Our New Zealand Certificate in Conservation (Operations) will equip you to care for the land, work safely and work well with others. It will prepare you for a wide range of conservation activities, from pest control and habitat restoration to the development and maintenance of facilities within New Zealand’s stunning national parks. It also provides a foundation for further study into broader areas of conservation such as sustainable resource management, education, research and policy development.
Some of the areas covered by the programme include: ecological systems, heritage principles, asset management, plant identification, track design and maintenance, the use of equipment (eg small machinery, chainsaws and agrichemicals) and technology (such as GPS, GIS, tablets and radio telephones).
Communication, relationship building and administration are also covered. This ranges from interacting with colleagues, work planning and report writing to stakeholder engagement, customer service and conflict management.
A significant amount of the programme involves undertaking practical tasks and projects in the field, and problem solving and collaborating with your classmates.
International
What You Study
Core elements
This programme will provide you with the skills and experience to work in the conservation sector under guidance.
You’ll be able to:
- Safely undertake a range of conservation activities
- Communicate well with team members and stakeholders
- Operate in a manner consistent with the Treaty of Waitangi while carrying out conservation work
- Use technology and systems to complete conservation work
- Work within the legislative and organisation requirements while carrying out operational conservation work
- Understand, apply and assess ecological systems in a conservation context
- Develop an understanding of environmental stewardship
Further study options
This qualification may lead on to the New Zealand Diploma in Environmental Management with strands in Marine, Terrestrial and Conservation (Operations) (Level 5). It may also lead to further higher level study in leadership and management, such as the New Zealand Diploma in Business (Level 5) or higher-level study in conservation or environmental science.
Career opportunities
Upon successful completion of this qualification you may be employed or volunteer in conservation, environmental and parks and recreation sectors as a park ranger, maintenance manager, pest plant officer, pest animal manager, community ranger or recreation ranger.
Workload
Programme structure and workload
This certificate is structured into courses that focus on different aspects of conservation.
You’ll learn through a mix of delivery methods, including:
- Face-to-face classroom learning
- Noho marae
- Tutor led practical activities (both on TPP and industry sites)
- Simulated learning
- Online learning
- Group work
- Coaching and mentoring
- Independent research and homework
- Industry experience
Entry
Entry requirements
To apply for this programme you must:
- Be 16 years of age or older
- Have NCEA Level 2, or relevant industry experience, or have completed another recognised qualification at Level 2 or above
- Be physically able to carry out practical conservation tasks in backcountry environments
- Have access to a computer and the internet
- Meet general or academic IELTS 5 (with no band score lower than 5) or equivalent, if English is a second language
Please note: applications outside the above criteria may be considered by the Conservation Manager, Teaching and Learning.
Application
2024 enrolments
When you apply to study with Tai Poutini Polytechnic in 2024, you will be enrolled with Te Pūkenga, the new national network of vocational and applied education in Aotearoa New Zealand. You will learn in the same way, in the same place, and with the same people. The great news is that this enables us to share skills and knowledge across a network of passionate education providers, to better help you succeed. Enrolling in programmes that start from 2023, means that you will graduate with a Te Pūkenga qualification.
You will be offered a place subject to meeting the entry and selection requirements and the availability of places on the programme. The Polytechnic reserves the right to not accept late applications, i.e., after the programme has started. The Polytechnic reserves the right to cancel, prior to commencement, any programme which does not attract a minimum number of students. The fees shown are indicative only. Both domestic and international fees are subject to change. For further information visit here.
