New Zealand Certificate in Apiculture (Level 3)
Farming
A course by
Otago Polytechnic
Gain the skills and confidence to manage your own beehives and work with commercial apiarists. Includes American Foulbrood disease recognition course and practical, hands-on learning suitable for assistants, hobbyists, and those progressing in apiculture.
Blended study
This is a mix of online learning & face-to-face sessions
Available in 3 locations
It will take a total of 35 weeks
Core skills this course teaches
Manage your own beehives
Graduates will have the knowledge and skills to manage their own beehives throughout a beekeeping season.
Identify and control bee diseases
Gain specialised knowledge including the completion of an industry-recognised American Foulbrood disease workshop.
Operate beekeeping equipment and handle bee products
Confidently use beekeeping equipment and understand product extraction and processing.
What You're Signing Up For
This Level 3 programme provides the knowledge and practical skills for beekeeping and managing beehives throughout a beekeeping season. Students will learn about bee behaviour, forage plants, equipment, hive management, extracting honey, and managing pests and diseases. The course is delivered online with weekend block sessions in Cromwell, Dunedin, and Lincoln. Graduates can work as assistant beekeepers or manage their own hives, and may progress to further apiculture qualifications.
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, dividing hives)
- Re-queening beehives
- Harvesting and extracting honey
- Identifying and managing pests and diseases
- Shifting beehives
- Wintering beehives
- Completion of an American Foulbrood (AFB) disease recognition course
What you need to know first
New Zealand Certificate in Primary Industry Skills (Level 2) OR on-job training for those employed in the Apiculture industry
Open entry: Must be physically capable of meeting the demands of the programme and disclose any medical conditions that may affect participation
What sort of industry will this job lead to
Apiculture
Agriculture
Primary Industries
Future employment opportunities might be
Assistant beekeeper for commercial operators
Independent beekeeper with a small number of beehives
Beehive business owner
Otago Polytechnic is known for high quality, hands on learning that leads to strong outcomes. With excellent student satisfaction, high graduate employment rates, and a commitment to sustainability, it’s a place where practical skills meet purpose. Their award winning programmes span design, fashion, creative arts, trades, health, and business, giving you real experience and real confidence for whatever comes next.