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Training and Apprenticeships

New Zealand offers practical training and apprenticeship pathways in horticulture and kiwifruit through polytechnics, private providers, universities, and industry programmes. Scholarships, leadership opportunities, and NZKGI initiatives like Winter Pruning Training and Horticulture Taster Courses help newcomers gain skills and enter the industry with confidence.

Training and Apprenticeships

Gain practical skills and experience through hands-on training and apprenticeship programs tailored to horticulture and kiwifruit production.

Primary Industry Training Organisation (ITO) Eastern Institute of Technology

Polytechnics

Polytechnics across New Zealand provide vocational training and certifications in horticulture, machinery, and related fields.

Eastern Institute of Technology North Tec Te Whare Wānanga o Awanuiārangi NZMA Toi Ohomai Institute of Technology Southern Institute of Technology Nelson & Marlborough Institute of Technology Wintec

Private Training Organisations

Specialist providers offering targeted horticulture training and short courses for industry skills development.

Fruition Horticulture Pacific Coast Technical Institute Start a Fresh Valley Education & Training Enterprises Ltd Training.co.nz National Trade Academy

University Diplomas and Degrees

Universities offer advanced study in horticulture, agribusiness, and plant science for those seeking leadership or research roles.

Massey University Lincoln University Waikato University

Scholarships

Financial support is available through industry scholarships to assist students pursuing horticulture training and education.

Hawkes Bay Fruitgrowers’ Association HortNZ Industry Training Scholarships Zespri Scholarships

Leadership Programmes

Develop leadership skills through industry-recognised programs designed for future leaders in horticulture.

HortNZ Leadership Programme Kellogg Rural Leadership Programme Nuffield New Zealand Sir Peter Blake Leadership Award PMA A-NZ Produce Development Program Women & Leadership New Zealand

Winter Pruning Training

NZKGI, alongside Fruition Horticulture and Toi-Ohomai, developed a series of Winter Pruning Taster and Training courses. The course is targeted at newcomers to the industry, allowing them to see if the physicality of winter pruning is for them. The five-day Training course provided a deeper understanding of the basics and an opportunity for participants to practice new skills. Any growers or employers interested in running the course for new staff are welcome to access the course material, which includes slide shows and lesson plans.

Day 1 of 4 click here.
Day 2 of 4 click here.
Day 3 of 4 click here.
Day 4 of 4 click here.

Horticulture Taster Courses

Find out how you can apply your skills to a career in New Zealand’s horticulture industry. Join the other 60,000 people in horticulture who are, leading the way in healthy sustainable food production.

By completing these taster courses, you will learn about the horticulture industry, from seed to plate. You will be awarded a digital badge, which will enable future employers to have confidence that you understand the context of the horticulture industry and are ready for a job in their company.

If you are interested in particular areas of horticulture and want to demonstrate this commitment to current or future employers you can complete a learning pathway. Each learning pathway consists of three courses which help you focus on a particular area of interest. When you successfully complete all courses in a pathway you will receive a Pathway badge. This badge demonstrates your commitment to the horticulture industry and will also provide you with an in-depth understanding of specific areas.

Before you choose your pathway, we encourage you to begin with Seed to Plate, this course will prepare you with the right tools to complete a pathway.

Fresh Produce to the World
New Zealand feeds the world. In this pathway you will learn how we are getting the best quality produce to the world while looking after the environment and meeting consumer demands.

  • Fresh Produce to the World
  • Horticulture Innovations
  • Kaitiakitanga
  • Plant Protection (optional)

Cultivated Land
In this learning path you can find out about what happens on an orchard or in a cropping field. You will learn how to lead people and solve some of the big challenges facing orchards/cropping fields. You’ll discover how working on an orchard or in a cropping field is a rewarding and challenging career option.

  • Growing World Class Produce
  • People Management
  • Health and Safety
  • Plant Protection or Horticulture Innovations (optional)

Packhouse
In this learning path you can learn about the future of packhouses as well as how to keep people and produce safe. You’ll discover how we are making sure trustworthy produce is getting to the customer quickly.

  • Post Harvest
  • Food Safety
  • Health and Safety
  • Fresh Produce to the World (optional)

Our Land our People
Our land and our people are precious to us. In this pathway you’ll consider how to be a guardian of our land and our people. This pathway will give you the knowledge to make a positive impact on the land and the people who work on it.

  • Kaitiakitanga
  • People Management
  • Health and Safety
  • Plant Protection (optional)