New Zealand Certificate in Primary Industry Skills (Level 2) - Native Plant Propagation
Course details
| NZQF Level | 2 |
|---|
About the course
Grow the future from seed - learn the basics of native plant propagation and help restore Aotearoa’s landscapes.
If you’re passionate about the environment and want to play a hands-on role in restoring our native ecosystems, this practical and free programme is a great place to start. You’ll learn the core skills involved in growing native plants from seed and contribute to meaningful restoration projects across Te Tauihu.
Delivered on Mondays (9 am - 3 pm) at our Richmond Campus, the programme teaches you how to:
- Identify and collect native seeds responsibly from local ecosystems
- Process and sow seed using a range of beginner-friendly propagation techniques
- Be introduced to the ecological principles behind riparian and native forest restoration
- Plan and carry out restoration planting, basic site preparation, and post-plant care
You’ll also visit local restoration sites, pine block conversions, and riparian zones to see how plants are grown, planted, and cared for and to participate in real community and environmental projects. Guest speakers from DOC, regional councils, and catchment groups will share insights into conservation and land management work across the region.
Whether you're a lifestyle landowner, community volunteer, aspiring trainee ranger, or simply passionate about New Zealand’s native flora, this programme gives you the foundational skills and confidence to get involved and make a difference.
Career opportunities and pathways
This programme gives you a strong introduction to working with native plants and supporting local restoration projects. After completing this certificate, you may choose to:
Progress into further study, such as:
- New Zealand Certificate in Horticulture (General) (Level 3)
- New Zealand Certificate in Horticulture Production (Level 4) – Nursery Production
Exploreentry-level opportunities in:
- community and conservation projects
- native plant nurseries
- restoration planting teams
These pathways can help you build your skills further and open the door to more specialised work in horticulture, nurseries, or environmental restoration.
Entry requirements
This programme has no academic or English language requirements.
Physical requirements
Applicants must be physically able to complete the programme-specific outcomes.
About the provider
At NMIT, our goal is to ensure you graduate work-ready and confident in your knowledge and skills to step into a successful career. Our wrap-around support services guide you through the process of learning, teaching you skills for life and ensuring your well-being is supported so you can focus on achieving your goals.
NMIT strives to make meaningful and positive change to the businesses and members in our community. For nearly 120 years, we have stood strong as a cornerstone for high-quality tertiary education and community engagement Te Tauihu (the Top of the South).
This means when you join NMIT, you become connected to a network of industry partners and employment opportunities that can open doors for you. Our passionate tutors across multiple study areas are highly regarded and influential in their chosen fields.
Whatever path you wish to pursue, we'll do what we can to help you reach your goal. Our internationally recognised qualifications are yours for the taking, and the journey to get them can be a rewarding and uplifting experience.