These days getting skilled for a career in horticulture is very flexible with a number of programmes available while you're employed, or you can choose to go fulltime. And there are a variety of institutions around the country.
NZ Horticulture Industry Training Organisation for Modern Apprenticeships and training (www.hortito.org.nz 03 964 4735)
HortAlliance for certificates, diplomas and university degrees
- Massey University (www.massey.ac.nz Freephone 0800 62 77 39)
- Eastern Institute of Technology, Hawkes Bay (www.eit.ac.nz Freephone 0800 22 55 348)
- HortResearch (www.hortresearch.co.nz 06 356 8080)
Lincoln University for university diplomas and degrees (www.lincoln.ac.nz Freephone 0800 10 60 10)
A range of programmes are offered by polytechnics, such as:
- Northland Polytechnic (www.northland.ac.nz Freephone 0800 80 88 56)
- Unitec (www.unitec.ac.nz Freephone 0800 10 95 10)
- Manukau Institute of Technology (www.manukau.ac.nz Freephone 0800 62 62 52)
- Waikato Institute of Technology (www.wintec.ac.nz Freephone 0800 44 42 04)
- Bay of Plenty Polytechnic (www.boppoly.ac.nz Freephone 0800 26 77 659)
- Tairawhiti Polytechnic (www.tairawhiti.ac.nz Freephone 0508 76 59 83)
- Nelson & Marlborough Polytechnic (www.nmit.ac.nz Freephone 0800 42 27 33)
- Christchurch Polytechnic (www.cpit.ac.nz Freephone 0800 24 24 76)
- Otago Polytechnic (www.tekotago.ac.nz Freephone 0800 80 05 83)
- Open Polytechnic (www.openpolytechnic.ac.nz Freephone 0508 65 02 00)
Crop and Food (www.crop.cri.nz 03 325 6400) for training courses and workshops
Various private training organisations such as Agriculture NZ Ltd, Wrightson (www.agnz.co.nz 06 348 8001)
A promotional video showing young people involved in careers in horticulture is available from the New Zealand Fruitgrowers Federation
