New Zealand Certificate in Apiculture (Level 4)
Gain the skills to operate as a Leading Hand in a commercial bee product producer or to run your own commercial operation. This programme is for people who are single source, comb, or medical-grade mānuka honey producers, pollination service providers or self-marketing producers.
Domestic
How to apply
This programme is offered in partnership with Te Pūkenga Southern Institute of Technology (SIT). To apply, please click here.
You’ll be taken to the SIT Telford Campus programme information page. Please indicate the block course location you would like to attend while enrolling (see the block course locations in the What you study section on this webpage below).
Any questions?
If you have any problems during this process, please email donna.osborne@sit.ac.nz or call 0800 TELFORD (0800 835 3673).
About the programme
Gain the skills and knowledge to manage a viable apiculture business.
This programme will enable you to operate as a Leading Hand in a commercial operation or to run your own commercial operation.
Offered through a unique blended delivery model, this qualification is for people who are single source, comb, or medical grade manuka honey producers, pollination service providers or self-marketing producers. You will gain the range of skills and knowledge needed to operate independently as beekeepers and will enjoy improved job performance.
By successfully achieving both the New Zealand Certificate in Apiculture (Level 3) and New Zealand Certificate in Apiculture (Level 4), you will have completed the apprenticeship scheme endorsed by Apiculture NZ (the governing body for apiculture in New Zealand). Otago Polytechnic is the only polytechnic provider of this industry-recognised training pathway in New Zealand.
This programme is taught online with block courses in a range of locations throughout New Zealand (see locations in What you study area below).
How is this programme delivered
This programme is taught online with block courses in a range of locations throughout New Zealand (see locations in 'What you study' area below).
It is offered in partnership with Te Pūkenga Southern Institute of Technology (SIT) through their Zero Fees Scheme (so you pay no tuition fee). When you click on the apply link above, you’ll be taken to the SIT Telford Campus programme information page to enrol. Please indicate the block location you would like to attend while enrolling. If you have any problems during this process, please email donna.osborne@sit.ac.nz or call 0800 TELFORD (0800 835 3673).
What You Study
Block course locations
- Christchurch (National Trades Academy)
- Cromwell, Central Otago (Bannockburn Road)
- Dunedin (Momona Hall)
- Hamilton (Fraser High School)
- Ōrewa, North Auckland (Hibiscus Coast Community House)
Courses
Course name | Description | Credits |
---|---|---|
Plants, Pollination and Nutrition |
Be introduced to the relationships between bees and flowering plants and the importance that plants play in providing food for bees. Indicative content
Learning outcomes At the successful completion of this course, learners will be able to:
|
15 |
Bee Diseases and Management Plan |
Learn how to recognise bee diseases, pests and disorders and manage these throughout the beekeeping season. Indicative content
Learning outcomes At the successful completion of this course, learners will be able to:
|
15 |
Seasonal Management and Food Safety |
Develop a seasonal management plan for the operation of apiaries of beehives and to implement this plan over a beekeeping season. Indicative content
Learning outcomes At the successful completion of this course, learners will be able to:
|
15 |
Beehive Product Production and Business Strategy |
Understand the production and processing of a range of beehive products, and analyse an apiculture business to develop a business strategy for a new market. Indicative content
Learning outcomes At the successful completion of this course, learners will be able to:
|
15 |
Further study options
Graduates of this programme can further their learning with the New Zealand Certificate in Apiculture (Level 4) (Queen Bee Rearing) or other qualifications in small business management.
Workload
Your workload
As a part-time student you should aim to undertake around 15 hours of study per week throughout the programme. This will include workshops, online learning and discussions, reading text books, doing assessments, practical work in your own time and the completion of an apiary diary.
- Online learning - one evening class per fortnight (7.00pm-9.00pm)
- Practical weekend workshops once per month (9.00am-5.00pm, Sat and Sun) - see locations in What you study section
- Further practical work to be carried out in students' own time
Entry
Entry requirements
- New Zealand Certificate in Apiculture (Level 3) or equivalent industry skills and knowledge.
- You will be expected to complete an industry-approved American Foulbrood recognition and destruction course before you graduate from this programme.
- If English is not your first language, you must provide:
- New Zealand University Entrance OR
- Overall Academic IELTS 5.5 with no individual band score lower than 5.0 (achieved in one test completed in the last two years), OR
- Acceptable alternative evidence of the required IELTS (see here for NZQA proficiency table and here for list of recognised proficiency tests).
If you need to improve your English Language skills, we offer a wide range of English programmes.
Fees
Zero Fees Scheme
The SIT Zero Fees Scheme means you get FREE tuition fees for this programme. Find out more about SIT’s Zero Fees scheme here.
This scheme only applies to your tuition fee and additional costs for materials are not covered.
Additional costs
Please see the SIT programme page for information about material costs.
Studylink
As this programme is part-time, students generally aren't eligible for student loans or allowances to cover additional material or living costs. But, some help may be possible depending on your circumstances. Check the Studylink website for more information. If you have any questions about student loans and allowances, please email our Studylink Advisor: Amanda.McAra@op.ac.nz
Application
How to apply
This programme is offered in partnership with Te Pūkenga Southern Institute of Technology (SIT) and you’ll apply through their website/application process.
To apply, please head to the How to apply statement at the top of this page and click where it tells you to apply.
You’ll be taken to the SIT Telford Campus programme information page to enrol. Please indicate the block location you would like to attend while enrolling (see the block course locations in the What you study section on this webpage).
Any questions?
If you have any problems during this process, please email donna.osborne@sit.ac.nz or call 0800 TELFORD (0800 835 3673).
We are part of Te Pūkenga
When you apply to study with Otago Polytechnic, 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, and you will graduate with a Te Pūkenga qualification.
Disclaimer
While every effort is made to ensure that this sheet is accurate, Otago Polytechnic reserves the right to amend, alter or withdraw any of the contained information. The fees shown in this document are indicative only. Both domestic and international fees are subject to change and are dependent on the development and implementation of Government policies. Please note that additional fees may from time to time be required for external examination, NZQA fees and/or additional material fees.