Ka Hao te Rangatahi | Ecological Landcare (Level 2-3)
Environment
A course by
EIT
Entry-level practical programme for 16–24 year olds providing skills in ecological land management, conservation, primary industry operations, and environmental care over 29 weeks.
Blended study
This is a mix of online learning & face-to-face sessions
Ruatoria Learning Centre, Ruatoria
It will take a total of 29 weeks
This course requires 40 hours per week
Core skills this course teaches
Gain practical entry-level ecological land management skills
Develop the ability to perform practical conservation and landcare tasks such as riparian restoration, pest control, and plant propagation.
Operate safely and use industry machinery
Learn to employ health and safety practices and effectively operate vehicles and equipment, including LUVs and chainsaws.
Implement environmental and land-based solutions
What You're Signing Up For
The Ka Hao te Rangatahi | Ecological Landcare programme delivers entry-level ecological land management skills for young people, blending classroom and hands-on outdoor learning. Students complete both the NZ Certificate in Primary Industry Skills (Level 2) and NZ Certificate in Primary Industry Operational Skills (Level 3), focusing on areas such as plant propagation, riparian restoration, pest control, machinery operation, fencing, and water monitoring. The majority of training occurs through practical work in the Waiapu catchment area, with additional contextual modules, ecological education, and full pastoral care.
Course Content
- Health and safety
- Nursery work
- Plant propagation
- Riparian restoration
- Erosion mitigation
- Pest identification and control
- Vehicles: LUV operation
- Chainsaw and machinery use
- Fencing and silt dam construction
- Waiapu catchment context issues and opportunities
- Water monitoring
- First aid
- Driver’s licence preparation
- Track maintenance
- Basic carpentry skills
- Self-employment and computer skills
- NCEA recognition
What you need to know first
Aged between 16–24 years at programme start
What sort of industry will this job lead to
Environment
Conservation
Primary Industries
Horticulture
Future employment opportunities might be
Pruner
Harvester
Junior farm assistant