NC5360 National Certificate in Sports Turf Management (Level 4)
This certificate is a national qualification for people working in the sports turf industry at a supervisory tradesperson level. The aim of the certificate is to provide recognition of the knowledge and skills that are essential for competence in the sports turf industry at a supervisory tradesperson level.
Important note: Enrolment into this programme and courses is only available to trainees registered with the New Zealand Sports Turf Industry Training Organisation (NZSTITO)
Download the brochure for this Programme, ( .pdf 307kb) document will open in a new window.
Programme structure
When to do these courses?
Students commence their studies with The Open Polytechnic of New Zealand upon signing a training agreement with the NZ Sports Turf Industry Training Organisation.
There are three stages in the qualification with each stage taking approximately one year to complete.
Along with the distance component, students must also attend a one-week block course in each stage held in Palmerston North as well as be assessed on-job in practical skills.
Students studying the level 4 turf management qualification complete the following units through The Open Polytechnic of New Zealand. These units are either completely assessed by distance or partially.
Other units are required to complete the qualification and these are either assessed on-job or at block courses.
Turf Stage 1
Course Code: TURF100
Unit | Unit Standard Title | Level | Credit |
1150 | Demonstrate knowledge of the structure and organisation of the New Zealand Sports Turf Industry | 2 | 5 |
1151 | Demonstrate knowledge of the characteristics and requirements of sports turf surfaces | 2 | 10 |
1153 | Use sports turf machinery and equipment | 3 | 10 |
19138 | Monitor and interpret weather information | 2 | 4 |
Students may select up to four elective units from
| Unit | Unit Standard Title | Level | Credit |
1154 | Demonstrate knowledge of ornamental plantings on sports turf surfaces | 2 | 5 |
2780 | Describe and operate a personal computer system | 1 | 3 |
2781 | Manage and protect computer data in a personal computer system | 2 | 3 |
3492 | Write a short report | 2 | 3 |
Course Code: TURF200
Unit | Unit Standard Title | Level | Credit |
1157 | Demonstrate knowledge of sports turf soil water management | 3 | 6 |
1159 | Identify common turf weeds | 3 | 5 |
1161 | Demonstrate knowledge of the mowing of sports turf areas | 3 | 4 |
Course Code: TURF300
Unit | Unit Standard Title | Level | Credit |
1155 | Survey sports turf areas | 3 | 5 |
1156 | Drain sports turf areas | 3 | 5 |
1166 | Irrigate sports turf areas | 4 | 10 |
1172 | Prepare and present a budget for sports turf operations | 4 | 15 |
17955 | Demonstrate knowledge of methods of upgrading sports turf root zones | 4 | 7 |
Entry requirements
Enrolment into this programme and courses is only available to trainees registered with the New Zealand Sports Turf Industry Training Organisation (NZSTITO). Contact the ITO for more information.
Phone Lyn Lockett, NZ Sports Turf ITO Training Manager, (06) 355 7025.
What do I do now?
Request a copy of the brochureDownload an enrolment form.
For further information free phone 0508 650 200 or email
Other Information
This is a nationally recognised qualification and is registered by NZQA.
To find out more about this programme, contact the Programme Co-ordinator:
Les MorrisFreephone: 0508 650 200 Ext. 5599
Direct phone: 04 913 5599
Email: Les Morris
