Course Overview
Support New Zealand’s vital agricultural sector by becoming a fully qualified automotive engineer, specialising in agricultural machinery and systems.
This apprentice-focused course equips you with the skills to diagnose, service, and repair tractors, land maintenance and cultivation implements, and harvesting equipment.
You’ll also learn to maintain critical systems such as intake and intercoolers, exhaust and turbocharging systems, and engine brakes — all while applying essential precautionary measures to ensure safety and reliability during servicing and repairs.
As part of your full-time apprenticeship, you’ll gain hands-on experience working with heavy agricultural machinery in your current workplace. Toi Ohomai manages your apprenticeship and provides ongoing mentoring and support.
You’ll complete online assignments in your own time, demonstrating your practical learning, while our qualified tutors regularly visit to assist with your progress and stay connected with your employer.
This course is designed to give you the expertise needed to keep the Bay of Plenty’s agricultural operations running smoothly and safely.
Upon successfully completing the requirements you'll receive the award of:
- New Zealand Certificate in Heavy Automotive Engineering (Agricultural Equipment) (Level 4)
| Locations | Wider BOP/Other |
|---|---|
| Next intake | Aug 2025 View more details |
| Study options |
4 years part-time |
| Total credits | 240 |
| StudyLink assistance | Available |
| Indicative Fees | To be confirmed 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.
Career opportunities
- Working with agricultural machinery
Topics you'll cover
- Safety Inspections, Agricultural Equipment Loading and Recovery
- Agricultural Equipment Clutches & Transmissions
- Agricultural Mechanical Drivelines & Final Drive Assemblies and Electric Drives
- Agricultural Equipment Hydraulic Systems
- Agricultural Equipment Suspension & Chassis Systems
- Agricultural Equipment Steering Systems
- Agricultural Equipment Starting, Charging & Lighting Systems
- Agricultural Equipment Brake Systems
- Agricultural Equipment Attached Equipment
- Agricultural Equipment in Cab Systems and Controls, and Electronic Safety Systems
- Agricultural Equipment Onboard Network Systems, Telematics and Autonomous Machine Operation
Course Fees
| Indicative Fees * | To be confirmed for domestic students |
|---|
Please note, fees for our 2026 intakes are yet to be confirmed. Once they are, we will update our website to reflect the new 2026 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
To be admitted to this course, applicants must meet the following requirements:
- Hold a Level 3 qualification in automotive engineering, or have evidence of equivalent skills and knowledge
- Be employed in a heavy automotive engineering workplace, which is operating at a commercially acceptable industry standard
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.
Other Considerations
- Must have a laptop
English language requirements
Level 4 certificate IELTS General or Academic score of 5.5 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.
Return to course overview
Course Locations and Intake Information
This course is only open to students who are already working in the industry are starting an apprenticeship.
| Location | Campus | Start Date | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wider BOP/Other | --- | 25 Aug 2025 | |
| Wider BOP/Other | --- | 13 Oct 2025 | |
| Wider BOP/Other | --- | 1 Dec 2025 | |
| Wider BOP/Other | --- | 9 Feb 2026 | |
| Wider BOP/Other | --- | 13 Apr 2026 | |
| Wider BOP/Other | --- | 8 Jun 2026 | |
| Wider BOP/Other | --- | 24 Aug 2026 | |
| Wider BOP/Other | --- | 12 Oct 2026 | |
| Wider BOP/Other | --- | 30 Nov 2026 |
Study options
- 4 years part-time
