New Zealand Certificate in Horticulture – Sports Turf 

Level 3

Overview

Level of study

Level 3

Cost (incl GST)

Was $1,407.60, now $703.80*

Length

10 months. Starts in Summer.

Prerequisites

Learners must be employed in the sector.

*Get up to 50% off fees in 2024, only applies to funded learner fees. Learn more here.

Non-funded fee from: $3,742.82. Please note, this fee will only apply for non-funded learners – learners who are not employed in the industry, do not meet the entry requirements of the programme, or are not classed as “domestic learners” under the Tertiary Education Commission (TEC) funding rules. For more information, visit the TEC website here.

Summary

This qualification provides an essential foundation in the knowledge and skills necessary to economically, safely and consistently produce high quality sports turf surfaces. Learners will acquire all the knowledge and skills to carry out routine tasks including mowing, irrigation maintenance and identifying pests and weeds, and also explore the detail and science around turf nutrients, fertilisers and botany.

This programme takes 10 months to complete and starts in summer.

Training days (workshops) are conducted during the off-peak winter season between April and August. A total of seven training days, typically delivered in two blocks.

Learning outcomes

Graduates of this qualification will be able to:

  • work as an effective member of a team, including communication and interaction with team members and colleagues relevant to a role in the horticulture sector
  • apply knowledge of turf plant health, pest, weeds and disease, nutrients, water, and artificial and hybrid surfaces to carry out routine maintenance of sports surfaces
  • operate a range of specialised sports turf machinery, and irrigation systems to maintain sports turf surfaces consistent with enterprise and sports code specifications.

New specialised topics recently added to this programme focus on the use of agrichemicals and fertiliser, an understanding of soils, and the use (and regulations) of water, all demonstrated within a workplace that must feature a sports surface.

Enrolment Forms

Download and read our enrolment forms and terms and conditions

Get up to 50% off* fees in 2024

Terms and conditions apply. For more information and to enrol: