Kaitiaki Whenua – Trainee Ranger New Zealand Certificate in Conservation (Operations) Kaitiaki Whenua – Trainee Ranger

Entry criteria

Applicants under 20 years

• Achieved NCEA Level 2 (credits in Maths, Science or English desirable).

Applicants aged 20 years and over

• No minimum academic requirements.

All applicants must have a level of English sufficient to be able to study at this level.

Those applicants whose first language is not English should have an International English Language Testing System (IELTS) overall academic score of at least 5.5 issued within the last two years (or equivalent).

Refer to NZQA: [https://www.nzqa.govt.nz/about-us/our-role/legislation/nzqa-rules/nzqf-related-rules/the-table/](https://www2.nzqa.govt.nz/about-us/rules-fees-policies/nzqa-rules/approval-recognition-and-accreditation/#:~:text=2022%20are%20revoked.-,Appendix%201%3A%20Internationally%20Recognised%20English%20Proficiency%20Outcomes%20for%20International%20Students,-Rule%2022.2(d "Goes to NZQA")

• Conservation First Aid short-course certificate (or similar covering unit standards 6400, 6401, and 6402)
• Curriculum vitae
• Selected applicants will be required to attend an interview/hui (see the selection notes below)

Applicants must hold New Zealand or Australian citizenship/permanent residency, or a visa permitting work in New Zealand.

Full, manual driver's license

In exceptional circumstances, an applicant under the age of 20 years who does not meet the academic entry requirements may be granted entry to the programme at the discretion of the selection panel and Curriculum Manager.

Applicants should be aware that;

• NMIT and industry require drug and alcohol-free training and work environment. Students will be required to adhere to the workplace policies of any organisation that they work for during their summer placements.
• Students will be required to sign a declaration on entry to the programme stating any medical issues that NMIT needs to be aware of. This adheres to the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015.
• The programme has aspects that require a certain level of agility, physical strength and fitness. Applicants must be physically capable of completing all aspects of the programme and may be asked to provide evidence.

All admissions to the limited places on the Kaitiaki Whenua Trainee Ranger Certificate programme are subject to the approval of the programme selection panel.

Final acceptance onto the programme is dependent on an interview/hui and is at the discretion of NMIT and iwi (or other delegated local body). They decide whether or not applicants meet the entry requirements and have demonstrated their likelihood of completion and suitability for the Programme. A further five or six applicants are selected for a waiting list in case any of the successful applicants withdraw their application.  This waiting list is ranked according to their interview/hui results.

Applicants are encouraged to bring whānau support to the interview/hui if this makes the process less stressful for them.  Additionally, applicants who wish to be interviewed in Te Reo Māori should indicate this when contacted regarding interview scheduling to enable appropriate individuals to be available.

Interview candidates will be selected from applicants who have met all other requirements. A Criteria Sheet may be used to help identify the most suitable applicants for the programme based on the information submitted.  This process will be carried out by the programme selection panel immediately after the application closing date. The programme selection panel is made up of a minimum of three individuals, including at least two members employed by NMIT and iwi (or other delegated local body).

The following criteria will be considered by the programme selection panel to select applicants for interviews.

• Endorsement by iwi and active engagement with hapū
• Demonstration of a sound knowledge of, and strong interest in, conservation.
• Demonstration of knowledge of outdoor skills and experiences.
• Demonstration of good communication and people skills.
• Demonstration of reliability and the ability to complete the programme successfully.

To encourage applicants from throughout New Zealand, shortlisted candidates will be interviewed by our programme selection panel. Interviews may take place via phone, Zoom, or in person, depending on where the applicants are located. Sufficient time between the short-listing and the interview/hui will be allocated to allow applicants to arrange transport and time off from their prospective jobs (if necessary) to attend these interviews.

The interview/hui will also provide an opportunity for applicants to discuss their previous experiences. Applicants may apply for cross-credit of courses or Recognition of Prior Learning.