New Zealand Certificate in Horticulture – Level 3

This qualification was designed to provide the basic knowledge and skills of horticulture. It is the first step towards a career in Horticulture. It is also suitable for anyone with interest in horticulture and who want to grow plants more successfully.

Graduates will benefit by having a breadth of horticulture knowledge and transferable skills valued by the horticulture community which will facilitate improved performance in the workplace and career progression.

Plant and Soil Science 1

• Students will be able to recognize plants commonly encountered in horticulture or land management situations
• Students will be able to determine and test basic properties of soil and other soil-less growing media
• Students will be able to apply knowledge of plant anatomy and morphology to facilitate plant growth

Plant and Soil Science 2

• Students will be able to demonstrate and apply knowledge relating to plant selection for horticultural purposes
• Students will be able to undertake planting of trees and shrubs
• Students will be able to demonstrate and apply knowledge of various factors affecting plant growth
• Students will be able to undertake pruning of trees and shrubs

Growing Systems 1

• Students will be able to demonstrate and apply knowledge of propagation activities
• Students will be able to undertake treatment of plant pests, diseases and disorders
• Students will be able to treat weeds in a horticultural situation

Growing Systems 2

• Students will be able to demonstrate knowledge of irrigation systems used in horticultural situations
• Students will be able to demonstrate and apply knowledge of nursery growing media in the establishment and growing of plants
• Students will be able to apply chemicals under supervision

• Students must be 16 years of age or over.
• It is desirable that the student has previously gained a Horticulture related qualification at level 2 or NCEA Level 2 Vocational Pathways in Primary Industry or equivalent.
• An interest in horticulture industry area as determined through an interview process would be an advantage.
• There may be further restrictions when this course is offered under a Tertiary Education Commission contract.

Academic Pathways

This qualification may build on the New Zealand Certificate in Primary Industry Skills (Level 2) [Ref: 2218] or the National Certificate of Educational Achievement (Level 2) with Vocational Pathways in Primary Industries endorsement.

This qualification may be completed in conjunction with other qualifications at Level 3 including, the New Zealand Certificate in Horticulture (Level 3) with strands in Amenity, Arboriculture, Cemetery, Fruit Production, Indoor Crop Production, Outdoor Vegetable Production, Landscape Construction, Nursery Production, Post-Harvest, Sports Turf [Ref: 2678]. This is the recommended pathway.

This qualification may lead on to the New Zealand Certificate in Horticulture Services (Level 4) with strands in Amenity, Arboriculture, Cemetery, Landscape Design, Landscape Construction, and Sports Turf.

Employment Pathways

Graduates of this qualification may be employed or self-employed, and/or move flexibly between a range of horticultural enterprises.

This qualification will also be suitable for small block owners or for mature learners who wish to gain knowledge of horticultural science in a range of general horticulture growing systems and practices.