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Agriculture
Study for an exciting career in agriculture in a wide range of certificate and diploma programmes in New Zealand’s premium agriculture region. There are new programmes under development, contact us if you don't find what you want.
Certificates
- FREE | NZ Certificate in Primary Industry Skills (Agriculture / Horticulture) [Level 2]
- FREE | Growing Future Farmers [Level 2 - 3]
- FREE | Horticulture Skills [Level 2 - 3]
- FREE | NZ Certificate in Primary Industry Operational Skills (with optional Specialist Equipment and Infrastructure strands) [Level 3]
- NZ Certificate in Apiculture [Level 3]*
- FREE | Farming Workplace Operations [Level 3]
Taratahi Food and Fibre: Taster Camps
Enrol now to experience life on the land with our selection of taster course.
Find your place in the future of Food and Fibre
Let’s face it, times can be tough. We’ve all been affected by the Covid-19 pandemic in some way, and we know that some people are out of work and need help to find jobs. We also know that some people will need to re-train.
New Zealand’s Food and Fibre sector need more than 50,000 jobs filled by 2025. If you are interested in helping to fill those jobs, we want you to join us. Training providers UCOL | Te Pūkenga and EIT | Te Pūkenga together with those working in the sector, are rising to the challenge and are offering a unique free taste of what the Food and Fibre sector has to offer.
That’s why we’ve come up with a variety of ‘on the land’ short courses that leads to great career opportunities for you, right now!
And what’s more, all courses including food and accommodation are FREE!
Short Courses at Taratahi
Currently there are seven courses that let you experience a range of activities in the primary sector so you can decide if you wish to pursue a career in this sector.
What do they include?
An overview of essential information about the primary sector and a variety of short experiences from working with animals to shearing, farm vehicle operation and maintenance.
Where are they held?
They are held at Taratahi Agricultural Training Centre, 529 Cornwall Road, Masterton.
How much do they cost?
The training for all taster courses FREE, including accommodation and meals Monday to Friday. You are welcome to stay for the weekends and
self-cater. You need to make your own way to Taratahi.
What are employers looking for?
Great work ethic and attitude, ability to read and write, effective communication skills, willingness to work and learn new skills, prioritise health and safety, able to complete work on own and with teams, nutrition, hydration and being able to look after oneself is also important.
What drivers licence do I need?
You should hold a full class 1 drivers licence. Other driver training will be provided.
Free Agriculture Short Courses
Beginners Shearing Course
The New Zealand shearing industry needs more shearers. Learn the core skills and knowledge required for the industry with the Free Shearing Short Course at Taratahi.
This free course is designed to enhance specific work practice skills and the health and safety of people in rural workplaces. The programme aims to provide practical aspects of shearing and wool handling – woolshed (such as setting up for shearing, wool handling and pressing, first aid and health and safety at work requirements) efficiently with the minimum of supervision.
This programme, including accommodation, is entirely free, and there are also free meals included Monday-Friday.
The course is held at Taratahi Agricultural Training Centre, just outside of Masterton in the Wairarapa.
For full details and how to register click here.
Advanced Shearing Course
Take your shearing skills to the next level with UCOL’s Advanced Shearing Course.
This five day course is open to those with previous shearing experience in the industry. The course will cover instruction and practical training in comb selection, machine and hand-piece maintenance, grinding combs and cutters, and a high level of instruction on the pattern to help improve quality and tallies.
For full details and how to register click here.
Dairy Course

Milking in a rotary cowshed, rural NZ
A career in dairy is rewarding! You’ll be part of a great team, spend time outdoors working with animals, plus many opportunities to learn and grow on the job.
This two week course will give you hands-on experience learning some of the basics of working with animals and staying safe on the farm.
This programme, including accommodation for the 12 nights, is entirely free, and there are also free meals included Monday-Friday. On the weekend participants can return home or stay on-site for free, though you will need to self-cater.
The course is held at Taratahi Agricultural Training Centre, just outside of Masterton in the Wairarapa.
For full details and how to register click here.
Wool Handling Training Course
Are you keen on entering the shearing industry? UCOL’s Wool Handling Training Course will provide you with the right skills.
This five day course is open to anyone wanting to enter the shearing industry. There is a huge demand for wool handlers in New Zealand, and this course will provide the core skills you need to become a wool handler or a rousey within a shearing team.
For full details and how to register click here.
Wheels, Tracks and Rollers (WTR) Endorsement Course
If you drive a special-type vehicle on the road, UCOL’s Wheels, Tracks and Rollers (WTR) Endorsement Course will help you gain the skills and knowledge to operate them safely and legally.
This one day course will train you to safely operate in any suitable environment and help you get Wheels (W), Tracks (T), and Rollers(R) Licence Endorsement on your driver’s license.
You will undergo formal in class and practical assessments.
For full details and how to register click here.
Farm Chainsaw Course
Get your chainsaw skills sorted with UCOL’s Farm Chainsaw short course and gain safe chainsaw operation and maintenance skills.
This course will introduce you to safe chainsaw operation and maintenance within a farm environment. You will learn how to drop and de-limb trees safely and maintain chainsaws with guidance from professional arborists. The course will also introduce the use of wedges, winches, and other accessories.
For full details and how to register click here.
Farm Vehicle Familiarisation
There is huge demand for contractors in our agricultural sector – if you’ve got the right attitude, we can give you the skills. This free one week course is your chance to join NZ’s largest export earner and most essential industry.
Learn all about what’s involved in ag contracting, and get yourself work-ready. During this free one week course, you’ll get a good understanding of the range of work contracting involves, and build your skills in driving farm vehicles, basic mechanics, and farm health and safety.
This programme, including accommodation, is completely free, and there are also free meals included Monday-Friday. The course is held at Taratahi Agricultural Training Centre, just outside of Masterton in the Wairarapa, where hard-working Kiwis have developed their farming skills for over 100 years.
The future of our primary industries won’t look the same, and our Government has pointed out the need for diverse, innovative new people and skills. This is your chance to get started on a rewarding and flexible new path, and help shape our country’s future success.
For full details and how to register click here.
I’m keen - what’s next?
Send us your registration of interest to enquiry@ucol.ac.nz or by phoning 0800 GO UCOL (0800468265).
Facilities
Ōtātara and EIT | Te Pūkenga Training Farm
Students establish basic skills in fencing, agri-vehicles and stock handling on this farm due to it being located right on campus. The farm encompasses a woolshed and yards enabling students to develop their stock handling and animal health knowledge. Ōtātara farm is adjacent to this and provides extra land for breeding ewes with the offspring farmed for sale.
ADB Williams Trust
ADB Williams Trust is a 1321ha effective operation with the main farm located at Otope 12km south east of Dannevirke. It is supported by a 381ha effective summer-safe block located at Coonoor 30-minues southeast of Otope. The Trust has a mandate to support charitable purposes and in particular training and education for people in agriculture.
Please feel free to make an appointment to discuss your study options. You can meet with our staff in person at our Hawke’s Bay or Tairāwhiti campuses, or simply give us a call on 0800 22 55 348. And, you’re most welcome to visit EIT | Te Pūkenga to view our facilities at any time.