Posted on 15 October 2026
80th AnniversaryOur LearnersBeing able to complete an industry-standard qualification while being based in rural New Zealand, has helped Kylie Sargeant’s floristry career blossom.
With Open Polytechnic being a specialist in flexible online learning it enabled Kylie from Murchison, one and a half hours’ drive from Nelson, to complete her New Zealand Certificate in Floristry (Level 3) in 2025.
As Open Polytechnic celebrates its 80th anniversary, Kylie is so grateful for the role it has played in her career and life.
“Flexible learning is valuable, especially to rural communities,” Kylie says.
“It gave me solid foundational skills in floristry and great mentoring with the tutors.”
Kylie was a school principal in Australia but is now a luxury lodge assistant manager. Her floristry studies gave her the foundational skills and confidence to create beautiful arrangements for the lodge, and the occasional bespoke design for members of her small community of Murchison.
“I had done a few online learning floristry courses, but I felt there were gaps in my learning and in what some of the courses I had completed had to offer,” Kylie explains.
“I value formal learning and considering this course was developed in conjunction with New Zealand Professional Florists, I felt it was worthwhile.”
Kylie has also been a regular helper of Open Polytechnic’s Academic Staff Member Megan Parker at the Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show, each March.
Four years ago, Kylie read an article in the New Zealand Professional Florists News and Inspiration about Megan taking some ākonga (learners) who had a won a competition to attend the Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show.
Kylie grew up in Victoria, Australia so the following year she got in touch with Megan, who is a judge at the international event, to see if she needed any volunteers to help.
Megan’s response was “yes” so Kylie has attended the show, while visiting her family in Australia annually for the past three years.
"It’s one of my favourite holidays each year,” Kylie admits.
“It feeds my love of flowers and floristry and inspires me to try new designs as I watch and steward both the student and world-renowned designers’ competitions.”
For Kylie, being at the show for set up days is also a wonderful way to observe designers create their whole design, as we all know the mechanics are often hidden in a completed design, but foundational to a good design.
Since Kylie is running her floral business, the event provided a great opportunity for industry networking and soaking in the atmosphere.
“I love the behind-the-scenes opportunities to watch designers work and talk with them,” Kylie says.
“Then my favourite part is to wonder the great hall of the exhibition building in the quiet of the pre-opening night, as the mayhem of forklifts and trolleys with buckets of flowers ceases, judging is complete and the cleaners are doing their thing, making the place look pristine for opening day – the ambiance is soul nourishing.”