• An enjoyment of working outdoors
• Physical fitness
• Planning and organisational skills
• Good communication skills
• An eye for detail.

• Open entry.
• International students will be individually assessed to ensure you are ready for this study. 
• If English is not your first language, you must demonstrate English language skills equivalent to an IELTS overall band score (academic) of 5.5, with no band score less than 5.0.

You need to provide academic records, proof of identity and proof of residency (where appropriate).

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.  

You must have clothing and footwear suitable for the outdoors.

Advance your knowledge with the Diploma in Horticulture Production (Level 5). Horticulture may also be studied at degree-level in New Zealand.

All prospective students are advised of the physical risks and requirements of the programme.

This programme is based entirely in our unrivalled Central Otago campus practical horticulture facilities which include the propagation nursery, hydroponics unit, modern glasshouses, 7-hectare crop production unit and vineyard. You will gain experience of the techniques required to grow a wide range of nursery and fruit crops including hydroponic herbs and vegetables, native plants, saffron, apples, apricots, wine grapes, figs, and cherries.

You should expect to spend a minimum of 30 hours a week on this programme.

Student loans/allowances

Student loans and allowances are for domestic students only. For information about student loans and allowances please visit the Studylink website. It is important to apply for your student loan/allowance at the same time as you apply for this programme, due to the length of time Studylink take to process. Loan/allowance applications can be cancelled at any time if you decide to withdraw your programme application or if it is unsuccessful. 

If you have extensive knowledge and skills due to practical experience in this area, enquire about our recognition of prior learning process at Capable NZ. You may have already gained credits towards this qualification.

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.