This programme aims to a viable pathway of learning and employment that links te taiao and kaitiakitanga to social, employment and economic outcomes. We aim to inspire participants to take action for the environment, for our society and for Māori and to do this in pathways that best match their skills sets and strengths. The project team and the course tutors will work together to start mapping potential exit pathways from the first day of the programme. We anticipate potential employment and training pathways that may include, but are not limited to:

  • Iwi, whānau, hapū support and leadership roles
  • Working for Māori in the resource management and consultation space
  • Advisory role’s around tikanga, kawa and how to build bi- cultural work places
  • Iwi monitoring for wāhi tapu
  • Environmental restoration roles for community organisation
  • Working in forestry
  • Roles within the Department of Conservation, from track work, biodiversity work through to education, volunteer and Iwi liaison advisors
  • Roles with commercial entities that have a stake in conservation (Genesis Whio Project, Fulton Hogan Takahē Project, etc)

NMIT is the only tertiary institute in the country that works in partnership with Department of Conservation (DOC) to provide graduates with this Kaitiaki Whenua Trainee Ranger programme.

Skills acquired on the programme lead to a range of work opportunities as a ranger and other outdoor occupations.

There are now two delivery models for this programme.

Project Moturoa

  • A full time 10 month programme with marae-based noho throughout the year.
  • You will learn key skills on, or near, your main classroom base for up to 3 weeks. You will then move on to bring those skills to one of the iwi, working on a project for that iwi, relating to the newly gained skills.
  • The time with iwi is noho marae and includes a deep cultural briefing of the history and teachings of that particular iwi.
  • For this intake it is assumed you are already actively connected with your hapu.
  • Successful graduates will transition into employment, cadetships or further education.

Trainee Ranger

  • A campus based programme that runs Monday to Friday and over one year from June to June.
  • As part of the programme you will do a summer work placement as well as off campus training days, usually once a fortnight, to work alongside DOC, regional council staff or to be tutored by experts in specific areas of learning.
  • As part of this programme Department of Conservation offer a set number of two year contracts to graduates every year.
  • Apply early as interviews start to take place in March and applications close on 30 March prior to the June intake of that year.

Location: Nelson, Richmond and Moturoa

Dates: Project Moturoa 10 February 2020, Trainee Ranger 15 June 2020

Study options: Full Time

Length: 52 Weeks

Total Credits: 120

Fees: $5338 + $240 Student Levy

For more information go to NMIT WEBSITE