New Zealand Certificate in Apiculture (Level 3)
Farming
A course by
NMIT
Gain the knowledge, skills, and confidence to manage beehives through a beekeeping season and work as an assistant beekeeper or independent apiarist. This certificate prepares you for entry-level roles or further study in commercial apiculture.
Blended study
This is a mix of online learning & face-to-face sessions
Available in 2 locations
It will take a total of 33 weeks
Core skills this course teaches
Beekeeping season management
Manage beehives throughout a beekeeping season including hive maintenance, honey extraction, and pest/disease control.
Build and use beekeeping equipment
Build beehives and utilize essential beekeeping equipment and tools safely and effectively.
Disease recognition and management
Identify and manage common bee pests and diseases, including completion of an industry-recognised American Foulbrood (AFB) course.
What You're Signing Up For
The New Zealand Certificate in Apiculture (Level 3) prepares students for a career in apiculture, one of New Zealand's fastest-growing primary industries. The programme covers the complete management of beehives throughout a season, including hands-on exposure to commercial operators and a disease recognition workshop. Graduates can work as assistant beekeepers, operate a few hives independently, or progress to further training in apiculture management or queen bee rearing.
Course Content
- Bee behaviour and life cycle
- Suitable bee forage plants
- Beekeeping equipment
- Building a beehive
- How to feed bees
- Beehive products
- Manipulating beehives including swarm control and dividing hives
- Re-queening beehives
- Harvesting and extracting honey
- Identifying and managing pests and diseases
- Shifting beehives
- Wintering beehives
- American Foulbrood (AFB) disease recognition workshop
- Logbook of fieldwork
- Theory and practical assessments
What you need to know first
Open Entry: Applicants must be physically capable of meeting the demands of the programme.
Disclosure of relevant medical conditions required.
English language proficiency: Evidence required for applicants whose first language is not English or te reo Māori. IELTS 5.0 (no band <5.0) or equivalent.
What sort of industry will this job lead to
Agriculture
Apiculture
Primary Industries
Future employment opportunities might be
Assistant beekeeper for commercial operators
Independent beekeeper with a few hives
Own small beekeeping business