Fruition’s Diploma in Horticulture Production is the only Horticulture Diploma offered at Level 6 in Aotearoa New Zealand. It is part-time across two years with classes on Wednesday evenings. You can attend from anywhere in the country online, or come to the in-person classroom, which is live-streamed to the cohort. No worries if you miss a class – they are all recorded for you to re-watch later.

Completing this diploma will give you the skills and knowledge needed to move into higher-up managerial positions in the horticulture industry or to manage your orchard better. This diploma has a focus on the local Aotearoa New Zealand industry.

There are six papers over the two years. Assessments are mostly report-based, with no final exams. You will be graded on the quality of your work throughout each paper.

Each paper has a field trip (three per year). Once per year, we have a compulsory three-day field trip; the fees for this are included with your tuition. Aside from the compulsory three-day field trip, we also have two one-day field trips, which can be attended online or in person.

Learners who successfully complete the programmes following Graduate Profile Outcomes (GPOs) will be awarded the New Zealand Diploma in Horticulture Production (Level 6) [Ref: 2667] with a strand in Process Improvement. Graduates will be able to:

• Critically analyse data to determine production and performance trends
• Critically analyse products, techniques or technologies that contribute to business outcomes
• Research, design, and manage ongoing strategies for continuous improvement of horticulture production or technologies

Graduates of this programme will be able to apply in-depth horticulture production knowledge and skills to inform strategic business decisions.  Learners will develop advanced technical skills to enable enhanced employment opportunities across a range of horticulture production operations.  The horticulture industry will benefit by having experienced technical specialists who can optimise workplace efficiency and lift the competitive edge of organisations servicing the domestic and international markets.

The Diploma is made up of six individual courses. You do not need to complete a previous course to start a new one, which means new enrolments can join at the start of any course to begin their journey of completing all six. The topics of each 12-week course for the diploma are:

• DHP6.001 – Production Enhancements
• DHP6.002 – Performance Management
• DHP6.003 – Technology Trends
• DHP6.004 – Product Innovations
• DHP6.005 – Where Production Meets Postharvest
• DHP6.006 – Continuous Improvement

The programme runs on a rolling intake system. This means you can begin with any course and continue for the two years until you have completed all six courses.

2024 Dates

DHP6.004 – Product Innovations

DHP6.005 – Where Production Meets Postharvest

DHP6.006 – Continuous Improvement

2025 Dates

DHP6.001 – Production Enhancement

DHP6.002 – Performance Management

DHP6.003 – Technology Trends

There are no prerequisites. Entry to the programme of study will be in order of receipt of applications and enrolments by applicants who meet the entry criteria required under the programme regulations and have appropriate capabilities to complete the programme of study successfully.

Successful completion of a Level 4 Certificate or above (or equivalent), preferably in the Primary Industries subject area, OR

For applicants 20 years or older without the above academic criteria, evidence of relevant knowledge, experience, and the ability to undertake tertiary study at the diploma level is required. In this case, the applicant must participate in an enrolment interview to verify the evidence.

In exceptional circumstances, an applicant who does not meet the academic entry requirements may be granted entry to the Fruition Diploma in Horticulture Production, where they supply evidence to satisfy the Academic Committee of their ability to succeed in the programme.

Students must demonstrate significant workplace experience (e.g. a supervisory and/or management role OR equivalent) within the horticulture industry.

Students will be required to provide evidence that they can progress through the programme of study. This may require any or more of the following:

• Pre-Enrolment Interview
• Challenge assessments
• Submission of a portfolio of work

Further details about entry criteria are contained in the supporting documentation.