Why would this work for your business?
Would you like to learn more about Ecotourism, guiding techniques, New Zealand’s natural environment, business studies and sustainable business practices but can’t leave your business?
The Diploma in Ecotourism is offered using distance learning modules so you can go for the whole qualification or just what you are interested in. You can do nearly all the Diploma from your base, wherever it is.
Tai Poutini Polytechnic prides itself on the delivery of a high quality, industry relevant and challenging programmes. There is a high demand for methods for making businesses more sustainable and also lifting the standards of guiding interpretation to live up to marketing strategies delivered to an international audience.
Ecotourism Involves: 
The programme has been designed to give you a base in Guiding, Interpretation and New Zealand specific cultural and physical environments. Once you have completed these core modules you can focus your studies on either Business skills, Outdoor skills or Sustainability.
We deliver you 3 compulsory Modules including: Guiding, Ecosystems and Culture in Tourism which make up 60 credits
You must then complete another module from a choice of two, either Business Skills or a Sustainability paper. (20 credits)
To complete the Diploma in Ecotourism, you have a choice of a number of electives which you can combine to finish the qualification. These are: Legislation in Ecotourism, Outdoor Skills, Marine Mammals and Research (40 credits).
The total qualification is 120 credits.
You also have the option to complete any of the 20 credit Short Awards or electives on their own in areas that interest you.
The Diploma in Ecotourism is aimed at people already working in the Ecotourism sector who may wish to play a more meaningful role in their job. While it is recommended that you complete a Certificate in Ecotourism prior to the Diploma, it is also possible to gain entry if you are working in a job where you would have similar skills to those gained in the Certificate Programme. This is decided on a case by case basis at the discretion of the Diploma Programme Coordinator.
Geoff Button and John Kennedy have spent many years working in Ecotourism and have experienced the growth of this exciting new industry. Bunty Mason has spent a number of years working for the Department of Conservation and she provides a fresh insight into Maori perspectives.
The Diploma in Ecotourism is designed to give you the flexibility to study while in the workforce and to study the particular aspect of Ecotourism you wish to pursue. You may wish to look at being a senior guide in the tourism operation you work in, you may wish to look at improving the environmental performance of your own business or maybe you wish to move towards a managerial role in the tourism business in which you work.
Applicants will ideally hold the Level 4 Tai Poutini Polytechnic Certificate in Ecotourism or equivalent qualification, or be able to demonstrate the same skills and knowledge. (This decision will be at the discretion of the Programme Co-ordinator, Head of Department Outdoor Recreation and the Director of Academic Services). A test / assessment can be carried out on request for entrance to this programme.
Applicants for whom English is a second language must meet IELTS (or equivalent) Level 6.0 or above.
Award - Level 5 Tai Poutini Polytechnic Diploma
Location - Distance Learning with some residential block courses
Method of Study - Part time
Co-ordinator - Geoff Button (
