New Zealand Horticulture Industry Training Organisation

To provide excellent, innovative and relevant training for our stakeholders that empowers individuals and enables horticultural industries to create wealth for New Zealand

NZHITOwas established in 1992 as an incorporated society recognised for charitable purposes.

It was set-up by various sector bodies of the Horticulture Industry as the Education Standard Setting Body for the Horticulture Industry. NZHITO is responsible for the co-ordination and facilitation of all Horticulture Industry education and training requirements.

Since 1992, NZHITO has developed and registered 335 Horticulture unit standards, 12 National Certificates and 1 National Diploma of Horticulture on the National Qualifications Framework.

The NZHITO currently has 834 apprentices and trainees training with the organisation. (Jan 2002)

The various sector organisations who collectively "own" NZHITO are;

NZ Recreation Association - Amenity Industry (Parks and Reserves etc)
NZ Fruitgrowers Federation
NZ Vegetable and Potato Growers Federation
Nursery and Garden Industry Association of NZ
FloraFed- Flower Industry
Landscape Industries Association of NZ
Forest Nursery Growers Association
NZ Arboriculture Association
NZ Professional Florists Inc

Purpose of NZHITO

The New Zealand Horticulture Industry Training Organisation (NZHITO) has been established to raise the skill levels within the horticulture industry.

This is achieved through the development of industry standards and the national qualifications that are registered on the National Qualifications Framework (NQF).

The qualifications that have been registered reflect the various sectors requirements.

NZHITOco-ordinates the training programmes for all those people employed in the industry.

a) Main Functions of NZHITO in Training:

Set horticulture training standards (unit standards and qualifications)
Administration of subsidised training
Administration of training agreements between employee, employer and
NZHITO
Arranges the provision of training, through either On-job or Off-job packages or
specifically targeted training days
Offers a wide range of training advice to employees and employers
Negotiates off-job training with Providers
To work with the industry to promote career pathways and training opportunities
available within the industry sectors.
To manage training, registration and moderation of Work Place Assessors and
that system.

Nine NZHITO qualifications are registered on the National Qualifications Framework.

Clicking on the qualification title takes you through to the NZQA website where you can find out the requirements of each qualification.

Qualifications Available Through NZHITO:

NATIONAL CERTIFICATEinHorticulture (Introductory) (Level 2)

NATIONAL CERTIFICATEinHorticulture (Level 4) with optional strands in Amenity Horticulture, Floristry, Fruit Production, Landscape, Nursery Production, Organic Horticulture, and Viticulture

NATIONAL CERTIFICATEinHorticulture (Advanced) (Level 4) with strands in Amenity Horticulture, Floristry, Fruit Production, Landscape, Nursery Production, Organic Horticulture, and Viticulture

NATIONAL CERTIFICATEinHorticulture (Arboriculture) with strands in Ground Worker, Consultant Climber, Transplant Worker, Basic Climber, Advanced Climber, and Utility Worker

NATIONAL CERTIFICATEinHorticulture (Floriculture) (Level 4)

NATIONAL CERTIFICATEinHorticulture (Forest Nursery Production) (Level 4)

NATIONAL CERTIFICATEinHorticulture (Plant and Garden Supply Retailing) (Level 4)

NATIONAL CERTIFICATEinHorticulture (Vegetable Production) (Level 4)

NATIONAL DIPLOMAinHorticulture (Level 6)