New Zealand Certificate in Apiculture (Queen Bee Rearing) (Level 4)
This programme will teach you how to rear queen bees for a commercial bee product producer or to operate your own queen-rearing operation. You’ll be able to work independently or supervise others.
Domestic
About the programme
Gain the skills and knowledge to rear queen bees for a commercial operation or to operate your own queen-bee rearing operation.
Apiculture is one of New Zealand's fastest growing industries and apiarists are in high demand.
This programme is taught online with block courses in a range of locations throughout New Zealand (see locations in 'What you study' area below).
Graduates of this programme will be well-received by the industry, which needs a steady supply of quality queen bees to ensure the genetic diversity of existing and new hives. In turn, you'll be helping to ensure the wellbeing of our wider community, as a strong bee industry is critical to ensuring the ongoing supply of food.
You'll be able to work independently and could supervise others.
What You Study
Block course locations
- Cromwell, Central Otago (Bannockburn Road)
- Dunedin (Momona Hall)
- Hamilton (Fraser High School)
- Lincoln (Biological Husbandry Unit)
- Orewa, North Auckland (Hibiscus Coast Community House)
- Wellington (Newtown School)
Courses
Course name | Course Description | Credits |
---|---|---|
Queen Bee Biology, Rearing and Breeding |
This course will enable you to describe the biology, rearing and breeding of queen bees. Indicative content
Learning outcomes At the successful completion of this course, you will be able to:
|
15 |
Beehive Management for Queen Bee Rearing |
Learn how to prepare for and to rear queen bees. Indicative content
Learning outcomes At the successful completion of this course, learners will be able to:
|
15 |
Disease, Hive and Business Management |
Learn how to implement a disease management plan for queen rearing, set up nucleus hives for mating queen bees and to develop a business strategy for queen reading operation. 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) 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 textbooks, 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
- Followed by a practical 10 days later on a Tues evening (5.30pm-7.30pm)
Entry
Entry requirements
- 40 credits at NCEA Level 1, including 10 Literacy credits and 10 Numeracy credits, or
- New Zealand Certificate in Apiculture (Level 3), or
- Equivalent industry skills and knowledge.
- Special and discretionary admission is available.
- You must be physically capable of meeting the demands of the programme and will need to disclose any medical conditions which may affect your ability to participate.
- 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.
Please note: You will be expected to complete an industry-approved American Foulbrood recognition and destruction course before you graduate from this programme.
Fees
Domestic fees
Additional costs
- One textbook
- One Cloake board with queen excluder
- Two, five-frame corflute nuc boxes (each with four frames and feeder)
- Four metal Bozi cell bars
- Two empty full depth frames for cell bars
- 100 plastic cell cups (bayonet/winged for metal cell bars)
- Two Chinese grafting tools or double or triple OOO paintbrushes
- Five emergence cages or roller cages for placing over crowned queen cells
- Five mailing cages for virgin or mated queens
Approximate cost = $500
Studylink
As this programme is part-time, students generally aren't eligible for student loans or allowances to cover additional 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
Fees Free
The Government has announced that Fees Free for the first year of study or training will finish at the end of 2024. A final-year Fees Free policy will replace it, starting from 1 January 2025.
If you are a first-time tertiary learner in 2025, you may be able to get Fees Free for your final year of study or training. If you are eligible, you will need to apply for your entitlement through IRD from 2026 onwards.
For more information about the transition from first-year Fees Free or the final-year Fees Free policy, visit FeesFree.govt.nz.
Student Services Fee
For most students, your tuition fee shown above includes a Student Services Fee – also known as the Student Levy. This compulsory fee covers your access to the student services we offer. This cost is tailored depending on how you're studying.
The international tuition fee does not include your Student Levy. This will be calculated when you enrol with us.
Click below to find out more about the Student Levy costs and services provided.