Ko Tāne horo
Refine your skills
Build the skills and knowledge needed to work safely and confidently in thinning to waste operations within the forestry industry. This micro-credential provides a pathway for learners transitioning into a relevant industry role, or employers wanting to upskill their employees.
Thinning to Waste is designed for people already working in silviculture who want to progress into thinning to waste roles. Learn industry standard thinning, chainsaw operation and maintenance, tree felling, environmental management, and forestry health and safety.
The noho-based delivery model can provide learning flexibility around full-time employment. You won’t need to ‘give up your day job’ to gain industry-relevant thinning to waste skills.
He aha tāu ka whiwhi?
Skills you'll leave with
You’ll be able to:
Describe traditional concepts of āhuatanga and tikanga Māori as they relate to forestry operations
Apply skills and knowledge relevant to thinning to waste work in a silviculture operation
Safely thin and fell trees in a commercial forestry environment
Operate and maintain chainsaws safely and effectively
Apply environmental management practices within forestry operations
Work in accordance with accepted forestry industry standards
Mā te mahi ka ako
Learn by doing
You’ll work under close supervision, learning to:
Practise thinning plantation trees in a commercial forestry setting
Learn chainsaw operation, maintenance, assembly, and safety procedures
Develop tree felling knowledge and practical skills
Apply forestry health and safety requirements
Learn environmental management practices used in forestry operations
Build confidence through practical learning and noho based experiences
Ngā ara e wātea ana
Where will this take me?
Keep studying
Build on your forestry knowledge and continue developing your skills through further forestry industry training and qualifications.
Use at work
This programme may support careers in:
Forestry
Silviculture
Thinning to waste operations
Commercial forest management
Community involvement
Support your community, whānau, hapū, or iwi through:
Sustainable forestry practices
Environmental stewardship
Safe workplace practices
Sharing forestry knowledge and skills
He meka
Quick facts
- Level 3 (Introductory)
- 40 Credits
- 40 Weeks
- Thinning to Waste (Micro-Credential)
- NZQA Accredited
- Fees apply
Paearu whakauru
Entry criteria
You can enrol if you:
Are 16 years or older
Are a NZ citizen or resident (includes Cook Islands, Niue, Tokelau) or Australian citizen/permanent resident
Currently reside in New Zealand
Have been employed in a relevant industry role for at least 12 months
Fees and scholarships
This programme has no fees in 2026.
The 2027 fee for this programme is:
$1,000 GST inclusive
Te wā
Time commitment
This programme is:
Part-time
40 credits
40 weeks long (includes holiday breaks)
Noho mārae-based learning, with additional workshops and small seminars
Kōnae ako
Learning modules
Ki hea, mō āhea hoki au ako ai?
Where and when can I learn?
Ngā Kaupapa Kei Tua
Upcoming Events
Ngā Kōrero o Te Wā
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