Qualification details
Title
New Zealand Diploma in Environmental Management (Level 5) with
strands in Marine, Terrestrial, and Conservation (Operations)
Version
1
Qualification type
Diploma
Level
5
Credits
120
NZSCED
050901 Agriculture, Environmental and Related Studies >
Environmental Studies > Land, Parks and Wildlife Management
Qualification developer
The Skills Organisation
Next review
31 December 2020
Approval date
19 November 2015
Strategic purpose statement
The purpose of this qualification is to provide the environmental
management sector with individuals who have the skills and
knowledge to work independently within marine, terrestrial and
conservation operations.
This qualification is designed for people with prior experience in
marine, terrestrial and conservation operations.
Aotearoa/New Zealand will benefit from having graduates who
are able to contribute to environmental management through the
application of technical skills and knowledge.
Graduate profile
Graduates of this qualification will be able to:

Describe global environmental issues (with a focus
on New Zealand) to determine their impacts on
societies and ecosystems, and basic mitigation
measures.
 Use data collection and surveying methods to
monitor environmental ecological or asset
management.
Graduates of the Marine strand will be able to:
Outcome Statement

Qualification Reference 2964
© New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2015
Apply knowledge of New Zealand marine biology and
ecology systems to enable systems monitoring in a field
environment.
Graduates of the Terrestrial strand will be able to:
 Apply knowledge of New Zealand terrestrial biology
and ecology systems to enable organism
monitoring in a field environment.
Graduates of the Conservation (Operations) strand will be
able to:
Page 1 of 5
 Manage field operations, projects, and engagement in a
conservation setting.
Education pathway
On completion of this qualification graduates may progress onto:
 New Zealand Diploma in Environmental Management
with strands in Marine and Terrestrial (Level 6) [Ref:
2966].
Employment pathway
Graduates of this qualification will be able to work in the
following contexts:
 Conservation officer
 Resource management adviser/consultant
 Environmental consultant/technician.
Qualification specifications
Qualification award
The candidate will be awarded the qualification by the
accredited Tertiary Education Organisation (TEO) where the
programme has been completed.
The formal document certifying the award of this qualification
includes the full qualification title, the date of award, and the
logos of The Skills Organisation, Skills Active Aotearoa, the
accredited TEO, and the NZQF.
Evidence requirements for assuring
consistency
Minimum standard of achievement
and standards for grade
endorsements
Other requirements for the
qualification (including regulatory
body or legislative requirements)
Evidence may include the following:

Employer/Industry feedback.

Self-evaluation (e.g. programme evaluation reports,
moderation outcomes).

Graduate feedback.

Progression/graduate destination information.

Portfolio of relevant experience and evidence.

Moderation results.

EER findings.
Achievement of all core graduate outcomes and at least one
strand.

Learners may enter this qualification either by: NCEA
Level 3 (minimum 42 credits at level 3)

New Zealand Certificate in Conservation (Operations)
(Level 4) [Ref: 2963]
Hold a current Outdoor First Aid certificate.
Qualification outcomes are to be met in accordance with:

Qualification Reference 2964
© New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2015
Organisational requirements.
Page 2 of 5

Legislative requirements.

Customary tikanga and kawa requirements.
General conditions for the programme leading to the qualification
General conditions for
programme
Tertiary Education Organisations (TEOs) offering programmes leading
to this qualification must maintain currency with amendments to, and
replacements of, relevant legislation, regulations, government
departments, and Australia/New Zealand Standards (AS/NZS).
Programmes must reflect industry practice and currency.
Current standards can be accessed at http://standards.co.nz. Current
legislation and regulations can be accessed at
http://legislation.govt.nz.
For detailed information on recommended unit standards for this
qualification visit http://www.skills.org.nz/resources-for-trainingproviders.
Conditions relating to the Graduate profile
Qualification outcomes
1
2
Conditions
Describe global
environmental issues
(with a focus on New
Zealand) to determine
their impacts on
societies and
ecosystems, and basic
mitigation measures.
It is recommended that programmes include the knowledge and skills
required to:
Credit 30

Describe management practices to mitigate these issues.
Programmes may also include the knowledge and skills required to
understand:

Fisheries Management

Waste water and zero waste energy

Marine ecosystems

Ecosystems services

Environmental impact assessment

Invasive species

Re-vegetation practices

Conservation issues.
Use data collection and
surveying methods to
monitor environmental
ecological or asset
management.
Credit 15
Marine strand
Qualification Reference 2964
© New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2015
Page 3 of 5
4
Apply knowledge of New
Zealand marine biology
and ecology systems to
enable species
monitoring in a field
environment.
It is recommended that programmes include knowledge and skills
required to:

Credit 75

Apply an understanding in a field environment of:

biology and ecology of coastal plants and sub-tidal
macrophytes

biology and ecology of marine invertebrates the behaviour of
marine vertebrates and an ability to identify these in the field.
General marine science and ecology.
Programmes may also include risk management and gaining diving
instructions and Day skipper licence
Terrestrial strand
5
Apply knowledge of
New Zealand terrestrial
biology and ecology to
enable organism
monitoring in a field
environment.
Programme and assessment may include the following range of
practical skills:
Credit 75

Navigation

Pest control

ATV driving

Growsafe

Using Chainsaws

Using 2-way radio

Gaining a Maritime Restricted Operators Certificate

Risk management.
Conservation (Operations) strand
6
Manage field
operations, projects,
and engagement in a
conservation setting.
Credit 75
It is recommended that programmes include the knowledge and skills
required to:

Apply judgement and legislative understanding to decision
making

Design and maintain long term conservation operations projects

Facilitate complex consultation and engagement with
community, hapu and iwi, and national organisations to support
the preservation and sustainability of New Zealand natural and
historical heritage

Design and coordinate volunteer workforce programme to
achieve conservation outcomes.
Programmes may also include the following range of practical skills:

Navigation

Pest control

ATV driving
Qualification Reference 2964
© New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2015
Page 4 of 5

Growsafe

Using Chainsaws

Using 2-way radio

Gaining a Maritime Restricted Operators Certificate

Risk management.
Qualification Reference 2964
© New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2015
Page 5 of 5