Course Overview

Forestry student holding a chainsaw

Do you love tools and machines and want to work outdoors in New Zealand's forestry industry?

This course, focusing on machine operating and landing operations, will get you started.

There's a mix of Health and Safety, policies and procedures, plus practical learning at our harvest site.

You'll join a real-life harvesting crew to put your skills and knowledge into practice.

You'll learn to correctly operate, maintain and sharpen a chainsaw and cut logs to length. You'll also learn to safely operate a forestry machine used in harvesting operations. Build your skills and experience on our state-of-the-art simulators! You'll also get time in a real excavator within an actual harvesting operation.

With this qualification you could play a key role working in a commercial forest harvesting operation. 

Upon successfully completing the requirements you'll receive the award of:

  • New Zealand Certificate in Forest Harvesting Operations (Level 3), strands in Basic Machine Operation and Landing Operations
Locations Rotorua
Next intake Mar 2025 View more details
Study options

27 weeks full-time, including holidays (if applicable)

Total credits 95
StudyLink assistance Available
Indicative Fees $5,421 for domestic students View full fees information
Eligibility View entry criteria

To see the information for international students change your location using the button at the top right of the screen.

Topics you'll cover

  • Health and Safety in Forestry Operations
  • Essentials for Working in Forestry Operations
  • Forest Industry Machine Repairs and Basic Maintenance
  • Operate a Forestry Machine
  • Log Making and Quality Control for Landing Operations

Course Fees

Indicative Fees * $5,421 for domestic students
Course related costs

You will require steel toe capped boots, a helmet visor, earmuffs and chaps.

Please note, fees for our 2025 intakes are yet to be confirmed. Once they are, we will update our website to reflect the new 2025 fee amount.


Your final fee may vary if:

  • you have a choice of topics/papers to study
  • the qualification excludes GST
  • there are extra course materials to purchase
  • student levies apply

We’ll let you know if any of these apply to you.

* Important fee information, and hints and tips

Help with fees

Are you Eligible for Free Fees?

There are several ways to take advantage of free study at Toi Ohomai. Find out how on our Fees Free FAQ page.

Student Loans and Allowances

This course meets the requirements for student allowance and student loan applications through StudyLink.

  • A student loan helps to pay for your course fees (the compulsory fees), study materials e.g. books, equipment, and living costs. You'll have to pay this money back.
  • A student allowance is a weekly payment that can help with your living expenses while you're studying. You don't have to pay the money back.

Find out more and apply at studylink.govt.nz

Scholarships

Scholarships are one way you might be able to get some financial help. Any scholarships specifically related to this course are shown below, otherwise check out the full list of scholarships promoted by Toi Ohomai.


Course Entry Information

Entry criteria

You must:

  • Be 16 years old at the time the course starts,
  • Be able to read, write, and communicate in English at a basic level, AND be physically able to complete the course.

Standard Entry Criteria

Admission, entry, selection, and enrolment into programmes will be in accordance with the Academic Regulations and/or, where approved, specific programme regulations.

For courses at levels 1-3, domestic and international students will be required to:

Provide evidence of ability to complete academic requirements.

English language requirements

Level 3 certificate IELTS General or Academic score of 5 with no band score lower than 5 or completed New Zealand Certificate in English Language Level 3 with an endorsement of either General, Workplace or Academic, or meets a relevant English Proficiency Outcome as outlined by NZQA.


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Course Locations and Intake Information

Learn more about the package deal offered for this intake.

Location Campus Start Date
Rotorua Mokoia Campus 10 Mar 2025 Apply now
Rotorua Mokoia Campus 26 May 2025 Apply now
Rotorua Mokoia Campus 1 Sep 2025 Apply now

Study options

  • 27 weeks full-time, including holidays (if applicable)

Important dates

View calendar of start dates and events

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Further Study Options

Courses Offered at Toi Ohomai