The NZ Diploma in Primary Industry Business and Management (Level 5) will help you develop skills and knowledge needed to manage a wide range of primary industry operations in farming, horticulture, dairy, fishing, apiculture, and others.
This qualification is suitable for people who are working in a primary industry business, either in a management or supervisory role, or are ready to advance into a management role.
1 year Full-time
Up to 4 years part-time
2025 Intake 1: 27 January to 23 May - Applications Close 13 January 2025
2025 Intake 2: 17 March to 11 July - Applications Close 03 March 2025
2025 Intake 3: 09 June to 03 October - Applications Close 26 May 2025
2025 Intake 4: 28 July to 21 November - Applications Close 14 July 2025
SIT Zero Fees Scheme
(e.g. $700 for 100 credit course)
International Fees
$25000
Unsure which one is for me? Check Fees Eligibility Check my options
Course work and assignments require practical application to a primary industry business, therefore learners should be in a position to access financial, management, production, and performance information about a specific primary industry business, and to manage production factors of the business.
By the end of the program, you'll be able to:
Note: This qualification has now been unified as part of a national delivery for Te Pūkenga and so an updated version is offered from 2024.
For new students to this programme of study:
For returning students who have previously started this programme of study:
NSCI5501 Primary Industry Business Planning
(15 cr)
PIB502 Management Accounting & Finance
PIB503 Human Resource Management
PIB504 Environment & Sustainability
PIB505 Health, Safety and Wellbeing
PIB506 Strategic Management and Planning
PIB507 Primary Industry Business Planning
(30 cr)
Important note. Only courses NSCI5501 – NSCI5505 will be available in Intake 1.
If you are a returning student who would be disadvantaged by there being no course available for study in Intake 1, please contact the Programme Operations Manager to discuss your options.
If you have any questions, please contact the Programme Operations Manager, Melissa James.
Or, the SIT2LRN Programme Administrator.
To gain this qualification you will need to complete all of the following courses (120 credits).
NSCI5501 Primary Industry Business Planning (15 cr)
In this course you will develop the knowledge, skills, and attributes to review key concepts of business management and the processes for developing a business plan for a primary industry organisation.
NSCI5502 Fundamentals of Financial Management and Planning (15 cr)
In this course you will develop the knowledge, skills, and attributes to manage and present finances for a primary industry organisation, including analysing financial management information, applying principles of taxation, and investigating opportunities for financing.
NSCI5503 Financial Analysis for Primary Industries (15 cr)
In this course you will develop the skills to review and analyse the financial requirements of a primary industry organisation, including benchmarking and performance indicators, preparing financial analysis reports, and developing a financial plan for a business.
NSCI5504 Human Resource Management in Primary Industries (15 cr)
In this course you will develop the knowledge and skills required to manage staffing requirements within a primary industry organisation. This will include employment obligations and professional communication; managing recruitment, selection, induction, and termination of staff; wellbeing, and social and cultural aspects of working in teams; and strategies for monitoring staff performance and training.
NSCI5505 Workplace Compliance in Primary Industries (15 cr)
In this course you will identify workplace compliance and legislative requirements, develop a compliant health, safety, and wellbeing plan in a primary industries context in Aotearoa New Zealand, and review strategies to assess, monitor, and respond to employee wellbeing.
NSCI5506 Environmental Sustainability for Primary Industries (15 cr)
In this course you will analyse natural and physical resources for a primary industry business, understand the role of policies in relation to environmental sustainability, and develop a plan for managing environmental sustainability in a primary industry organisation.
NSCI5507 Business Risk Management for Primary Industry (15 cr)
In this course you will develop the knowledge, skills, and attributes to enable you to analyse and plan for risk management in relation to a range of factors in a primary industry organisation.
NSCI5508 Primary Industry Strategic Analysis and Reporting (15 cr)
In this course you will develop the knowledge, skills, and attributes to enable you to undertake strategic analysis of a primary industry organisation and produce a business report. This course pulls together your learning from the previous courses as well as assessing future strategic opportunities for business growth.
Graduates of this qualification will have the skills and knowledge to work or gain employment in a management or supervisory role in a range of primary industries.
Applicants for this programme should be a minimum of 16 years of age, demonstrate a keen interest in primary industry business management, and have:
Important note: All applicants should have current employment or involvement in a primary industry business and be in a position to access financial and production performance information about the specific agribusiness.
Discretionary Admission
Any ākonga who do not meet the above academic criteria may be eligible for consideration for Discretionary Admission. In assessing whether to grant Discretionary Admission, the focus is on the applicant’s level of preparedness for their intended programme.
English Language Requirements
All applicants (international and domestic) for whom English is not a first language need to provide evidence that they have the necessary English language proficiency required for the programme.
International applicants are required to have an IELTS score of 5.5 (general or academic) with no individual band lower than 5 from one test taken in the preceding two years, or an equivalent described in NZQA Rules: https://www2.nzqa.govt.nz/tertiary/english-language-entry-requirements-for-international-students/
International applicants should contact the SIT International team for advice.
Suggested study path / combinations
The number of credits selected for study will depend on work, family, and other commitments. The recommended maximum number of credits per intake, in consideration of working hours, are
This is a guide only and will differ from student to student due to individual circumstances. It is recommended that you complete study in alternate intakes (e.g. 1 & 3, or 2 & 4).
It is advisable to complete the courses in the order they are listed on the website. NSCI5508 Primary Industry Strategic Analysis and Reporting has pre-requisites, so this should be the last course undertaken.
Part time study:
Students studying part time have a maximum of four years to complete the qualification.
Full time study: This is completing all courses (120 credits) over two intakes, however, this is not advised due to the work-integrated nature of the programme. Full time acceptance into the programme is at the Programme Operation Manager's discretion.
Additional information
Assessments for this programme typically include written reports, and discussion board postings. There are no exams for this programme.
All SIT2LRN courses require you to have a computer and Internet access. Students are required to use their SIT webmail only for all SIT2LRN communications. All course materials and information, including assessments and due dates, are located on the online Blackboard system and you will have access to this from the Intake start date. However, once you have been accepted into a programme you will receive an Important Information Booklet that includes information to familiarise yourself with our online Blackboard learning environment.
Facilitator Assistance - During the enrolled intake period, students have email access to facilitators, who endeavour to respond to all emails within 48 hours (weekdays only). All students are required, within the first two weeks of an intake, to send an email to their facilitator confirming their start on the programme of study. Students who have not emailed their facilitator or embarked upon their course of study by the end of the 2nd week of an intake, will be Faculty Withdrawn from the programme. Such withdrawals may impact on future access to SIT Zero Fees Scheme and Student Direct Material Costs are still liable for payment.
You can view and download a copy of your Academic Transcript any time from the MySIT page (under My Courses). Please note that it may take up to 6 weeks from the end of an intake for grades to show here.
We recommend students new to SIT2LRN read through the Frequently Asked Questions section of our website for further study and enrolment information.
Please use the following checklist to ensure that all relevant information and documentation has been included. Remember, your application will be assessed based on the information that you provide us with. Processing of your application will be delayed if we need to come back to you for missing information.
What is the Zero Fees Scheme?
The Zero Fees Scheme means we do not charge tuition fees. However, there is a Student Direct Material Cost that you need to pay. The administration fee is for processing your application and the Student Direct Material Cost gives you secure access to Blackboard® our online learning environment and to student support services throughout your study with us.
Who qualifies for the Zero Fees Scheme?
Instructions to help you with your application:
If you are a new student…
Attach supporting documents as required and outlined on the previous page.
Please check that you have included all the required information and supporting documents. Your application will be assessed based on the information that you provide. Missing information will delay the processing of your application.
Please scan and email all additional documentation to sit2lrn@sit.ac.nz.
What happens next?
To satisfactorily complete the New Zealand Diploma in Primary Industry Business Management (Level 5), and be awarded this qualification the student must successfully achieve:
Please Note: Students failing to engage in study as per programme requirements may forfeit SIT Zero Fees entitlement.
Graduates of this qualification may progress to relevant qualifications at Level 6 or above in business management.
Assessments for this programme may include, but are not limited to:
All requirements for assessment must be submitted by the advised time and date. Late assignments will not be accepted unless an extension has been requested.
For more information on required and recommended textbooks for this course please refer to the textbook list here.
Please note that textbooks need to be ordered at least 3-4 weeks prior to the commencement of your study