The NorthTec certificates in Sustainable Rural Development are practical programs that reflect the community’s needs to be truly sustainable.

The programmes are designed to teach the skills needed to develop land and land based enterprises in a sustainable manner.

Sustainable Rural Development (Level 2): introduces students to a range of self sustainable activities such as basic gardening skills, food production and processing, growing and planting fruit and vegetables, traditional Maori gardening skills, permaculture and biodynamic  practices, raised bed gardening, common garden pests and diseases, land care and conservation, native plant propagation and introduction to Raranga (flax weaving).

Sustainable Rural Development (Level 3): takes the student to the next step in their learning of sustainable living practices. Subjects include: planning and planting a home orchard, hydroponics, pruning, training and grafting, wetland planting, revegetation, building with natural materials, renewable energy generation, forest gardening, operating permaculture systems, advanced composting and mushroom production. It aims to produce graduates who are capable of developing their own land or community land in a truly sustainable manner.

Sustainable Rural Development (Level 4): Hands on practical experience and research projects which will give the student the necessary skills and knowledge for developing support businesses for the organic industry, or to work directly within the ever expanding Horticulture industry. Students that graduate from the program have the opportunity to continue studying Horticulture based programs with NorthTec at a higher level or go on to University level study. Field trips provide the opportunity to view successful sustainable land based enterprises throughout Northland and to take part in lectures from the innovative and inspiring people who manage them.