CFS422 Introduction to New Zealand Conservation

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Course code

CFS422T
Locations and dates

Online:

20 October 2025

Online Only: 20 October-21 November 2025
Fees

Tuition: Free
Credits

5

This course will introduce various terms and concepts of biodiversity.

You will learn about why New Zealand’s unique biodiversity needs protection, what management practices are used and the principles behind them.

This short course covers:

An introduction to key concepts and principles relating to biodiversity and conservation
New Zealand's evolutionary history, including geography, climate, flora, and fauna
Conservation management practices in New Zealand

By the end of the course, you will know about key diversity principles, ecological processes, and management processes.

The course is for anyone who works or volunteers in conservation or wants to work in conservation.

This course is completed online. The estimated course load (including reading and watching content and completing assignments) is approximately 75 hours, and it is expected you would complete this within a month.

Conservation nationwide tailored courses

Entry requirements

Academic requirements

If you under 20 years old: Achieved NCEA Level 2 – (credits in Numeracy, Science or English desirable).
If you are 20 years or over: No minimum academic requirements.

English language requirements

All applicants must have a level of English sufficient to be able to study at this level.
If English is not your first language you should have an International English Language Testing System (IELTS) overall Academic score of at least 5.5 issued within the last two years (or equivalent).

Other requirements

You will be required to notify facilitation staff of any medical issues that NMIT and DOC need to be aware of. This should be done upon enrolment if the medical issue may impact upon your ability to meet the demands of the training. Other medical issues of lesser impact should be brought to NMIT staff attention at the start of the course. Each course will include a documented group job safety analysis to keep everyone safe. This adheres to the “Health and Safety in at Work Act 2015”.

Special Entry

In exceptional circumstances, an applicant under the age of 20 years who does not meet the academic entry requirements may be granted entry to the programme where they supply evidence of their ability to succeed on the programme.

Conservation Training Scheme

Our conservation short courses are part of the Conservation Field Skills Training Scheme.

This Training Scheme is 20 credits. If you complete all the credits you will receive a Training Scheme award.

The Conservation Field Skills Training Scheme includes the compulsory course Risk Assessment worth 5 credits.

The remaining 15 credits can be made up of the short courses that best fit with your work.

Only one can be at level 3.

Course	Level	Credits
Conservation First Aid	3	5
Predator Trapping Methods	3	8
Introduction to NZ Conservation	4	5
Plant Identification	4	5
20x20 Plots and Reconnaissance	4	10
Foliar Browse Index	4	5
Five Minute Bird Count	4	5
Weed Management (Principles and Best Practice)	4	5
Vertebrate Pesticide Control Methods	4	10

You will need to complete all the courses within three years to complete the training scheme and receive the award.

Should you need to make contact before, during or after the workshop, please contact our friendly team via information and enrolments or contact the facilitator for the course.