Beekeeping

Study Beekeeping, also known as Apiculture, at Otago Polytechnic to immerse yourself in the outdoors, and gain a career surrounded by bees. Learn how to care for, own, breed and maintain bee colonies and hives to produce honey.

 

Group of bee keepers working in a field of bee hives

Our Beekeeping qualifications can give you the skills and knowledge to work with bees. Depending on your goals, you can study what you need to become a beekeeper for commercial operators or an independent beekeeper with a small number of hives.

Beekeeping employment opportunities are vast in New Zealand, as is owning your own business or simply helping to support nature as a passionate enthusiast.

Our Apiculture qualifications are offered in partnership with Te Pūkenga Southern Institute of Technology (SIT) so you'll apply through their website and enrol with the SIT Telford Campus. See our programme pages below for more information about each qualification and to apply.

Beekeeping qualifications

Agriculture & Animal Healthcare

With this programme, you’ll gain the skills and confidence to manage your own beehives. You’ll meet commercial apiarists in your local area and have the chance to complete an American Foulbrood (AFB) disease recognition course. Topics include bee behaviour and life cycle, beekeeping equipment, harvesting and extracting honey, and suitable bee forage plants.

Duration

33 Weeks Part-time

Delivery

Online with block course(s)

Location

Multi-location

Career potential

Commercial Assistant Beekeeper, Small Hive Beekeeper

Agriculture & Animal Healthcare

Gain the skills to operate as a Leading Hand in a commercial bee product producer or to run your own commercial operation. This programme is for people who are single source, comb, or medical-grade mānuka honey producers, pollination service providers or self-marketing producers.

Duration

33 Weeks Part-time

Delivery

Online with block course(s)

Location

Multi-location

Career potential

Honey Producer, Independent Beekeeper, Medical Grade Manuka Honey Producer, Pollination Provider

Agriculture & Animal Healthcare

This programme will teach you how to rear queen bees for a commercial bee product producer or to operate your own queen-rearing operation. You’ll be able to work independently or supervise others.

Duration

33 Weeks Part-time

Delivery

Online with block course(s)

Location

Multi-location

Career potential

Commercial Bee Operations, Independent Beekeeper, Queen-Rearing Operations

Contact us

If you’re not sure what to study and would like some guidance, we’re here to help. Feel free to chat to us directly about any questions you may have.