New Zealand Diploma in Primary Industry Business Management

Whether you’re an up-and-coming orchard supervisor looking to enhance your career, or a farm owner wanting to update your business skills, this diploma will help you effectively manage a successful primary industry business in today’s changing environment


Programme details

Level of study: Level 5

Length: The total programme is 120 credits, split into eight (8) separate courses; each course is 15-credits and runs for nine (9) weeks. The full qualification can be completed in 2-3 years of part-time study.

There are four term intakes per year starting with Term 1 in February. Learners may work towards the full diploma or choose to complete selected courses in the terms which suit their requirements.

Courses:

  • Primary Industry Business Planning (NSCI5901)
  • Fundamentals of Financial Management & Planning (NSCI5902)
  • Financial Analysis for Primary Industries (NSCI5903)
  • Human Resource Management in Primary Industries (NSCI5904)
  • Workplace Compliance in Primary Industries (NSCI5905)
  • Environmental Sustainability for Primary Industries (NSCI5906)
  • Business Risk Management for Primary Industry (NSCI5907)
  • Primary Industry Strategic Analysis and Reporting (NSCI5908)

See a further breakdown of the courses here.

Prerequisites: Learners need to have access to a functioning primary industry business, including financial records, production data, and a property/physical environment to evaluate. Some staff management responsibilities are preferred but not essential.

Funding: Learners may be eligible for Government Support including Fees Free. Learn more here

Register your interest here

Use the drop-down arrows to find out more about each of the courses that make up the New Zealand Diploma in Primary Industry Business Management

Don't just take our word for it! Hear from some diploma learners about their experiences!

George Dodson competing at FMG YF comp

George Dodson

2024 FMG Young Farmer of the Year

“I really enjoy the business stuff, understanding the numbers and how we can look at changing our farm systems to be more profitable and have less impact on the environment. There’s a saying… you need to turn yourself into your biggest asset.

Anna England

Anna England

Young Plant Producer of The Year

“I thought I had a good foundation of knowledge from the commerce degree but with the Primary ITO Diploma it’s all fitting together better.  The practical aspect is really valuable. You’re not just doing theory all the time, it’s a good mix of hands-on.

20200809 093538 1

Zac Thomas

Otago Southland FMG Young Farmer of the Year

“The best thing I learned wasn’t just in the curriculum, but the networking and talking with people in the class. Especially when you get into the Level 5 diploma, everybody’s there because they want to be there, not because they have to be.

Free FARMAX for all Level 5 Learners

Primary ITO are delighted to be able to offer all Level 5 Sheep, Beef & Deer and Dairy Farming learners FARMAX Analysis, free for the duration of your study! 

FARMAX is a modelling and decision support tool, developed for pastoral farmers in New Zealand. The tool allows you to build a model of your whole farm system to record actual farm performance data, forecast future expectations and create unlimited scenarios for your farm system! 

For more information on FARMAX, please visit: https://www.farmax.co.nz/  

Not what you're looking for?

Find our other training programmes across the primary industries here.