New Zealand Certificate in Sustainable Primary Production (Level 4)

New Zealand Certificate in Sustainable Primary Production (Level 4)

New Zealand Certificate in Sustainable Primary Production

Are you involved in a primary industry and looking to learn more about sustainability? Would you like to learn more about how to work in a self-managing capacity by implementing practices and initiatives that will bring long-term benefits to your community and the environment? The New Zealand Certificate in Sustainable Primary Production may be the qualification you've been looking for.

     
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Key Details
SIT2LRN Distance Learning
Qualification:
Certificate
Level:
4
Credits:
70
Duration:

18 weeks full-time

Up to two years part-time

Intakes are 18 weeks long

Study Modes:
Distance Learning
Dates:

2025 Intake 1: 27 January to 30 May - Applications Close 13 January 2025
Fees:

SIT Zero Fees Scheme

  • Tuition Fee: $0   Check eligibility
  • Direct material Cost: $7.00 per credit (incl GST)

 

International Fees

$14583

 

Unsure which one is for me? Check Fees Eligibility Check my options

 

     

This programme will no longer be offered after Intake 1, 2025. New students in 2025 will only be accepted for full time study.

Are you involved in a primary industry and looking to learn more about sustainability? Would you like to learn more about how to work in a self-managing capacity by implementing practices and initiatives that will bring long-term benefits to your community and the environment? The New Zealand Certificate in Sustainable Primary Production may be the qualification you've been looking for.

The aims of the qualification are as follows:

  • To gain skills and knowledge that are directly relevant to day-to-day sustainable management of land-based production operations
  • To enable further training in the area of sustainable management
  • To provide a programme of study that will enhance the knowledge base of land based sustainability practices for those working or intending to work in the sector

*As of 01 January 2022, SIT2LRN has updated the paper codes to be in line with other Southern Institute of Technology’s qualifications. The paper name and content are the same.

Please ensure that you are selecting the correct papers when you enrol online as the application will now show the new paper codes.

Please see the table below for the old and new codes:

Old Paper CodeNew Paper Code (with effect from 2022 intakes)Paper TitleLevelCredits
PIT200PIT400Production Standards410
PIT201PIT401Evaluating Land-Based System Compliance410
PIT202PIT402 Sustainable Practices410
PIT203PIT403Sustainable Practice Plans410
PIT204PIT404Sustainable Practice Implementation 420
PIT205PIT405Sustainable Practice Monitoring410

Part-time students must follow one of the study plans below:

Two intakes

  • PIT400, 401, 402, 403 (40 credits)
  • PIT404, 405 (30 credits)

Three intakes

  • PIT400, 401 (20 credits)
  • PIT402, 403 (20 credits)
  • PIT404, 405 (30 credits)

Note: PIT404 and PIT405 must be done during the same intake as the papers involve implementing and monitoring plan.

PIT400  Production Standards (10 credits)
This paper provides students with the knowledge of environmental standards and sustainable production standards employed in New Zealand relevant to sustainable primary production, in order for students to consider the application of these standards in own practice.

On successful completion of this paper, students will be able to:

  1. Describe the role of a regional council, or unitary authority, with regard to environmental standards in New Zealand.
  2. Compare and contrast the sustainable production standards of a relevant industry accreditation body and environmental standards of a regional council/unitary authority.
  3. Describe the influence of sustainable production and environmental standards on a production operation.  

      
PIT401  Evaluating Land-Based System Compliance (10 credits)
This paper provides students with the knowledge and skills necessary to evaluate a land-based system for compliance with a sustainable production standard.

On successful completion of this paper, students will be able to:

  1. Describe a land-based production system.
  2. Identify, and explain relevance of, at least two environmental or sustainable production standards applicable to the land-based production system.
  3. Evaluate the compliance of the land-based production system with the identified environmental or sustainable production standards.

PIT402  Sustainable Practices (10 credits)
This paper provides students with the knowledge of sustainable practices in New Zealand relevant to sustainable primary production, in order for students to consider the application of these practices in own endeavours.

On successful completion of this paper, students will be able to:

  1. Describe a land-based production system.
  2. Identify, and explain relevance of, at least two of the following sustainable practices applicable to the land-based production system:
    a.     Nutrient budgeting
    b.     Planting (e.g. riparian, wetland, companion, green crop, land stabilsation)
    c.     Energy conservation
    d.     Water conservation
    e.     Water quality enhancement
    f.    Waste and/or effluent management

PIT403  Sustainable Practice Plans (10 credits)
This paper provides students with the knowledge and skills necessary to complete a sustainable practice plan in accordance with a sustainable production standard relevant to a land-based production system.

On successful completion of this paper, students will be able to:

  1. Describe the main activities or stages relevant to a land-based production system.
  2. Identify the desired outcome for the land-based production system from the implementation of identified sustainable practices.
  3. Establish an implementation plan, which takes into account the main activities or stages relevant to a land-based production system, for at least two of the following sustainable practices:
    a.     Nutrient budgeting
    b.     Planting (e.g. riparian, wetland, companion, green crop, land stabilsation)
    c.     Energy conservation
    d.     Water conservation
    e.     Water quality enhancement
    f.    Waste and/or effluent management

PIT404  Sustainable Practice Implementation (20 credits)
This paper provides students with the knowledge and skills necessary to implement a sustainable practice relevant to a sustainable production standard for a land-based production system.

On successful completion of this paper, students will be able to:

  1. Identify methodologies for implementing a sustainable practice relevant to a land-based production system.
  2. Undertake the implementation of a sustainable practice relevant to a land-based production system, in accordance with an implementation plan, which takes into account the main activities or stages relevant to a land-based production system.  

PIT405  Sustainable Practice Monitoring (10 credits)
This paper provides students with the knowledge and skills necessary to monitor, and report on, a sustainable practice relevant to a sustainable production standard for a land-based production system.

On successful completion of this paper, students will be able to:

  1. Explain why monitoring of sustainable practice is undertaken and the use(s) of monitoring data, particularly with regard to environmental or sustainable production standards.
  2. Identify monitoring technique(s) relevant to a sustainable practice employed within a land-based production system.
  3. Undertake the monitoring of a sustainable practice relevant to a land-based production system, in accordance with approved monitoring technique(s) and data reporting requirements.

At the successful completion of this programme, graduates will have the required skills and knowledge to work effectively in a sustainable primary production area as a farmer, grower or assistant worker in the sector.

School Leavers

Applicants should be a minimum of 16 years of age, and have attained NCEA Level 2 as follows:

  • 60 credits at level 2 or above, plus 20 credits from any level, and  
  • Literacy – minimum of 10 credits at Level 1 or above through either specified assessment standards available through a range of subject and English for Academic Purposes unit standards 22750 and 22751 (minimum total of 10 credits), or unit standards - package of three literacy unit standards (26622, 26624, 26625 - all three required)
  • Numeracy – a minimum of 10 credits at Level 1 or above through either achievement standards – specified assessment standards available through a range of subject (minimum total of 10 credits), or unit standards - package of three numeracy unit standards (26623, 26626, 26627 - all three required)

Mature Applicants

Applicants over the age of 20 years at time of enrolment will be considered where they can demonstrate the ability to succeed in a programme. Examples of demonstration of ability to succeed are the provision of evidence of successful completion of a programme of study at level 2 or above and/or employment in the related sector for one or more years. They may be admitted subject to programme regulations approved by the Head of Faculty in consultation with the Programme Manager as appropriate. Personal commitment and a belief in one’s own ability to succeed are important personal traits and will always be taken into consideration during the selection process.

English Language Requirements

Applicants, whose first language is not English, or who come from a country where the language of instruction in schools is not English, are required to provide evidence of having achieved one of the following

NCEA Level 3 with University Entrance, or

an International Baccalaureate Diploma or Cambridge A- level qualification for which the teaching and assessment was conducted in English; or

Cambridge Certificate in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (CELTA),or Trinity College London Certificate in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (CertTESOL);or

Successful completion of all primary education (being the equivalent of New Zealand primary school years 1 to 8) and at least three years of secondary education (being the equivalent of three years from New Zealand secondary school years 9 to 13) at schools in either New Zealand,,Australia,Canada, the Republic of Ireland, South Africa, the United Kingdom and the United States one of the countries listed in Rule 18.5 where the student was taught using English as the language of instruction; or

Successful completion of at least five years of secondary education (being the equivalent of New Zealand secondary school years 9 to 13) at schools in either New Zealand, Australia, Canada, the Republic of Ireland, South Africa, the United Kingdom and the United States where the student was taught using English as the language of instruction; or

Successful completion of a Bachelor's Degree, Graduate Certificate, Graduate Diploma, Bachelor Honours degree, Postgraduate Certificate, Postgraduate Diploma, Masters' Degree or Doctoral Degree, the language of instruction of which must be in English and which must be from a tertiary education provider from New Zealand, Australia, Canada, the Republic of Ireland, South Africa, the United Kingdom or the United States or

Successful completion of one of the following internationally recognised proficiency tests listed below to the level required of the programme of study and with all scores achieved in a single test during the two years preceding the proposed date of enrolment


IELTS test - General or Academic score of 5.5 with no band score lower than 5 
TOEFL Paper based test (pBT) - Score of 530 (with an essay score of 4.5 TWE) 
TOEFL Internet based test (iBT) - Score of 46 (with a writing score of 14) 
Cambridge English Examination - B2 First or B2First for schools with a score of 162. No less than 154 in each skill. 
OET - Minimum of Grade C or 200 in all sub-tests 
NZCEL - a) Expiring Level b) Current: a) Level 3 (Academic) b) Level 3 (Applied) 
Pearson Test of English (Academic) - PTE (Academic) score of 42 with no band score lower than 36 
Language Cert - B2 Communicator International ESOL Written (LRW) PASS with no less than 25/50 in each skill and Spoken (S) PASS 
Trinity ISE - ISE II with no less than pass in any band

* New versions of some NZCEL qualifications, and in some cases new qualifications, were published on 13 June 2017. These are intended to replace pre-existing versions and qualifications, which have been given expiring status until discontinued on 31 December 2019. (a) denotes expiring (b) denotes current

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. Once you have been accepted into a programme you will receive an Important Information Booklet that includes information that you can use to familiarise yourself with our online Blackboard learning environment. From the intake start date you will have access to the online course materials to work through.

Facilitator Assistance:  During the enrolled intake period, students have email access to Facilitators, who endeavour to respond to emails within 48 hours (week days 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.

All students will get an official academic transcript on successful completion of their programme of study which will be posted or given at Graduation.  After each intake is finished, it is suggested that students check their results on MySIT.

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.

  • I have read all sections of the Programme Information on this page
  • I have read the SIT2LRN Frequently Asked Questions section
  • I have met all admission criteria for the programme (found under "Application Criteria")
  • I have met all the criteria for individual papers (found under "Course Content").
  • I have selected the paper(s) I wish to study
  • I have selected intake(s) (I have selected alternate intakes rather than overlapping intakes)
  • I know my intended payment method
  • If my organisation/company is paying for my studies, I have a completed and approved purchase order to attach to my online application.  I am aware that should my organisation or company not pay my fees, these will become my responsibility.
  • I have completed and attached a cross credit form (if applying for a cross credit)
  • New students – I have provided an active NSN in the name I am enrolling in or I have verified ID and will attach it to my online application.
  • New students – I will attach academic documentation (NZQA record of achievement/academic transcripts/certificates).  These do not need to be verified. (If you do not have any academic documentation to support your application, please attach a comprehensive CV outlining your education and work experience).
  • I understand that this is a Level 3 programme therefore I will be required, by the Tertiary Education Commission, to complete at least one literacy and one numeracy assessment as part of my studies
  • I have computer access,  an Internet connection and access to software to create electronic documents e.g. Microsoft Word or Open Office

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?

  • A New Zealand citizen completing the full qualification or 
  • An Australian citizen/New Zealand Resident or Permanent Resident who will be residing in New Zealand for the duration of your enrolment.

Instructions to help you with your application:

  1. Read the Programme Information on this page and the SIT2LRN Frequently Asked Questions and find out if you meet the application criteria for both the programme and the unit/s you wish to study.
  2. Check your eligibility for Zero Fees. If you are not eligible to study under this scheme, please call 
    0800 748 257 for further options.
  3. Complete your online enrolment checking that:

If you are a new student …

  • Provide an active NSN number in the name you are enrolling in (contact NZQA on 0800 697 296 to get your NSN number if you do not know it);
  • And you do not have an active NSN, then attach a copy of your verified ID in the name you are enrolling in.
  • And you are a Resident or Permanent resident of NZ, please provide a copy of proof of residency;
  • Attach all academic documentation to support your application including copies of any certificates of courses you have undertaken / NZQA record of achievement / transcripts / CV;

Attach supporting documents as required and outlined on the previous page.

  1. 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.
  2. Please scan and email all additional documentation to sit2lrn@sit.ac.nz.

What happens next?

  • You will receive an automatic email confirmation when we receive your online application. Processing may take up to three weeks. However, we will get in touch with you sooner if we require further documentation.
  • Once your application has been accepted you will be sent a conditional offer of acceptance with an invoice and instructions on how to make payment.
  • Once we have received your payment (or if you have opted to pay by Credit Card, Student Loan or Purchase Order) you will be sent an Enrolment Confirmation Letter and Important Information Booklet. Closer to the start of the intake you will receive a Time To Get Started Letter which will give you all the necessary information, tools and guidance to start your study with us.

To satisfactorily complete the New Zealand Certificate in Sustainable Primary Production (Level 4), and be awarded this qualification the student must successfully achieve:

  • A minimum of 70 credits in accordance with the Programme schedule for the New Zealand Certificate in Sustainable Primary Production (Level 4).
  • The student will normally be expected to complete the New Zealand Certificate in Sustainable Primary Production (Level 4) full-time over 6 months or part-time over 2 years.

Please Note: Students failing to engage in study as per programme requirements may forfeit Zero Fees entitlement.

 

The assessments in this programme typically include discussion board postings, practical assessments, written reports, and short paragraph questions.

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