The call of the wild is going out to rangatahi and whānau across the rohe, with UCOL and Pūkaha National Wildlife Centre offering a new qualification for aspiring kaitiaki.
The New Zealand Certificate in Conservation (Operations) Level 4 was developed with the support and blessing of iwi.
The course will prepare you for practical conservation in the context of ecological restoration. You will improve your understanding of the ecological environment, and develop tools and skills so you can investigate an ecosystem and deliver strong conservation outcomes.
It would also prepare you to actively participate in the preservation of wāhi tapu and taonga tūturu by understanding the significant tikanga associated with a site according to tangata whenua.
Pūkaha, the last remaining remnant of Te Tapere Nui o Whatonga, is a special place for tangata whenua across the rohe. Rangitāne have gifted this taonga to the people of Aotearoa and to ensure its protection and restoration for generations to come, well trained and skilled kaitiaki are essential. This programme is an important step on this journey.
General Manager of Pūkaha, Emily Court, is thrilled with the results of the first year of the programme. “Year one has been a wonderful journey, with tutors and students leaping in with both feet and making it a reall success. Numbers are looking great for 2022 already so prospective students need to get in quick. We’re especially interested in offering opportunities to our Māori community and locals who have a strong connection to the area. This is a chance to learn about our precious wildlife and flora, and build a career conserving our backyard. Developing a strong connection with the whenua is a big part of why we exist as an organisation, and we’re so excited to see this get started.”
Students interested in this programme can find details on UCOL’s website at:
https://www.ucol.ac.nz/programmes/agriculture-conservation/new-zealand-certificate-in-conservation-(operations)-(level-4)
