• Demonstrate a comprehensive ecological knowledge of Northland’s terrestrial, freshwater and coastal ecosystems
• Communicate an understanding of, and some solutions to, regional, national and global challenges to biodiversity and resource management
• Engage appropriate resources for an environmental investigation
• Apply practical skills to monitor ecosystem dynamics and analyse, comprehend and evaluate results
• Demonstrate involvement in the active protection and restoration of the natural, rural or urban environments in Northland
• Discuss the value of networking with others working in the field.

Papers offered include:
- New Zealand Ecology
- Resource Management
- Environmental Issues
- New Zealand Conservation
- Marine Ecology

- Biosecurity and Invasive Ecology
- Marine Conservation
- Plant and Animal Diversity
- Fresh Water Ecology

• Environmental Monitoring
• Wildlife Management
• Pest Control Programme Management and monitoring
• Consent Management and Monitoring

In addition to generic entry requirements, school leavers require a Year 12, NCEA Level 2 education or higher, and are recommended to hold 14 or more NCEA Level 3 Credits in Geography and/or a Science. Students over 20 years of age will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Applicants will be considered eligible for admission where they can provide evidence of suitability based on interview and/or portfolio. Applicants with qualifications in science and related fields or people with experience in environmental management will have an advantage.

This programme has been accredited by NZQA and ITPQ. As it does not contain unit standards from the NQF, credits are not reported to NZQA.