New Zealand Diploma in Horticulture Production (Fruit Production) or (Wine Growing) (Level 5)
Progress your career by gaining the knowledge and skills to become a competent leader in the fruit production or wine grape production industries. Study online to complement your work in the industry and graduate with the skills to manage an orchard or vineyard.
Domestic
About the programme
Progress your career by gaining the knowledge and skills to become a competent leader in the fruit production or wine grape production industries.
Designed for those already working in the horticulture and viticulture fields, this part-time programme is run at night so you can learn while continuing to develop your skills, and online so you can get qualified from anywhere.
As well as being run outside work hours, classes are organised to accommodate the rhythms of the seasons so you can concentrate your energy where it's needed during peak times.
When you enrol, you'll have the choice of two focus areas:
- Fruit Production: stone fruit, pip fruit and berries (orchard)
- Wine Growing: wine grapes (vineyard).
Upon graduation, you'll be able to manage horticultural or viticultural operations to ensure fruit or wine grape quality requirements are met.
Part-time study
This programme is run part-time across 2-4 years.
International
About the programme
Progress your career by gaining the knowledge and skills to become a competent leader in the fruit production or wine grape production industries.
Designed for those already working in the horticulture and viticulture fields, this part-time programme is run at night so you can learn while continuing to develop your skills, and online so you can get qualified from anywhere.
As well as being run outside work hours, classes are organised to accommodate the rhythms of the seasons so you can concentrate your energy where it's needed during peak times.
When you enrol, you'll have the choice of two focus areas:
- Fruit Production: stone fruit, pip fruit and berries (orchard)
- Wine Growing: wine grapes (vineyard).
Upon graduation, you'll be able to manage horticultural or viticultural operations to ensure fruit or wine grape quality requirements are met.
Part-time study
This programme is run part-time across 2-4 years.
What You Study
Courses
Fruit Production focus
| Course name | Credits |
|---|---|
| Leadership in the Orchard | 15 |
| Fruit Crop Development and Quality | 15 |
| Weather and Fruit Crop Protection | 15 |
| Orchard Soils, Water and Nutrition Management | 15 |
| Orchard Crop Protection | 15 |
| Orchard Planning and Management | 30 |
| Industry Practice - Orchard | 15 |
| Total | 120 |
Wine Growing focus
| Course name | Credits |
|---|---|
| Leadership in the Vineyard | 15 |
| Wine Grape Development and Quality | 15 |
| Weather and Wine Grape Protection | 15 |
| Vineyard Soils, Water and Nutrient Management | 15 |
| Vineyard Crop Protection | 15 |
| Industry Practice - Vineyard | 15 |
| Vineyard Planning and Management | 30 |
| Total | 120 |
Block courses
All courses will be run in blocks for industry-based learners, and timed to avoid busy periods in the industry. Please email jason.barry@op.ac.nz for more information.
Further study options
Continue your learning with degree and postgraduate-level horticulture programmes at Lincoln University and Massey University in New Zealand.
Entry
Entry requirements
- New Zealand Certificate in Horticulture Production (Level 4) (Fruit Production) OR equivalent
- 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.
Selection process
Applications will be processed as they are received. If the number of applications exceeds the number of places available, applicants will be placed on a waiting list in the order that they applied.
Want your existing skills recognised?
If you have extensive knowledge and skills due to practical experience in this area, please ask us about our recognition of prior learning process. You may have already gained credits towards this qualification and could achieve it in a shorter timeframe. Please email central@op.ac.nz or call 0800 762 786.
Fees
Domestic fees
International fees
Tuition fees
The tuition fees shown above are approximate only. There may be a slight fee increase per year once Tertiary Education Commission (TEC) rules and guidelines are applied.
Studylink
Domestic full-time students can apply for a student loan through Studylink.
Some support may be available for domestic part-time students if this programme offers a part-time study option.
Apply at the same time as you apply for your course (you can withdraw your application anytime).
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.
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.
Study Grants for international students
We have a range of Study Grants to support our international students.
Application
A change for 2023 enrolments
When you apply to study with Otago Polytechnic in 2023, 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.
