TERTIARY
Leadership (Level 3) (Micro Credential)
An opportunity to develop personal and peer leadership skills while participating in adventure based learning activities.
Duration: 7 hours once a week, for 10 weeks.
Credits: 11
Please print and complete the forms. Email completed forms to grover@topec.co.nz
Leader Facilitation (Level 3) (Micro Credential)
Work-ready training in assisting the facilitation of adventure based learning and low ropes activities for a group of participants. Focussing on developing communication, co-operation, problem-solving and decision-making skills.
Duration: 6 hours once a week, for 10 weeks.
Credits: 9
Please print and complete the forms. email it to grover@topec.co.nz
NZ Certificate in Outdoor Experiences (Level 3)
A programme of study to challenge yourself in the outdoors and enhance teamwork and communication skills. You will build your technical skills in rock climbing, kayaking, rafting, bush craft and navigation, as well as theoretical skills to operate safely in the outdoors.
Commences mid-February
Duration: 30 weeks, two days
per week
Credits: 40
Please print and complete the forms, and email them to office@topec.co.nz
Pest Eradication and Bush Survival (Level 3) (Micro Credential)
Join the growing predator-free Taranaki environmental movement and start a journey in conservation. This Level 3 micro credential is ideal for practical-minded students with a desire to learn bushcraft and contribute to positive change.
We can also run Level 2 training for Year 11 and 12 if there is demand. Please see Secondary page.
Duration: 12 hours a week for 10 weeks
Credits: 16
Please print and complete the forms, and email them to office@topec.co.nz
NZ Certificate in Outdoor Leadership with Strands (Level 4)
Developing and refining your skills as a leader in the outdoors and building on your technical skills in your selected pursuit: abseiling, bushwalking, rock climbing, high ropes, sea kayaking or white water kayaking.
This is a standalone programme of study.
Duration: Part or full time
Credits: 60
Please print and complete the forms, and email them to office@topec.co.nz
What will I learn?
Each course has a focus on outdoor pursuit skill training alongside leadership, people skills and personal development. You will learn about planning, preparing and leading groups in the outdoors, managing risk to enable safe but challenging experiences, interpreting weather, bush survival and navigation, environmental sustainability, abseiling, climbing and caving, rafting and kayaking skills. Your confidence will grow, and your people management will improve.
What careers can it lead to?
Start your journey in this exciting industry and benefit from an active outdoors career that can lead to a career in adventure tourism, community health, education, outdoor instruction and guiding, the defense force or police, conservation and restoration, paramedic and search and rescue.
Who should apply?
At school, just left or been in the workforce for a while?
These courses are ideal for you! or come and experience the amazing Taranaki. Stay local, study and train either full-time or while still working or at school. Our industry-experienced qualified tutors will help you develop and challenge yourself while gaining a relevant leadership qualification.
Taranaki Outdoor Pursuits and Education Centre PTE operates a NZQA and TEC approved model. TOPEC is a category 1 registered provider. NZQA is highly confident in the educational performance and self-assessment capability of our tertiary education organisation.
Please click here to view our Pastoral Care Code Review for 2024
If you wish to view TOPECs' External Evaluation and Review Report, please click here
More information about TOPEC, and our PTE Profile can be found on the NZQA website, or by clicking here
Funding your study
If you are a learner who is no longer at school, and need assistance funding your study, please visit the StudyLink website for more information.
Starting tertiary study or training for the first-time? You may be able to get Fees Free for the final year of the first provider-based qualification or work-based programme you complete. If you want to find out more, or wish to check your eligibility, please visit https://www.feesfree.govt.nz/
To get Fees Free on completion of your final year of study or training you must:
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complete a qualification or a programme eligible for Fees Free, and
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meet the residency criteria at the time you complete your qualification or programme, and
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meet the prior study and training criteria, and
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not have already used Fees Free.
Claiming Fees Free
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After you complete your first eligible qualification or programme, you will be able to confirm your eligibility and claim your entitlement. You will be able to do this through myIR from early 2026.
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If you have a Student Loan, your Fees Free entitlement will go towards paying off your Student Loan. This will lower the amount you have borrowed. If you don’t have a loan, the entitlement will be paid to a bank account you nominate.
Final-year Fees Free policy
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Fees Free is available for eligible learners who complete their first provider-based qualification or work-based programme.
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Fees Free covers the final year of study or two years of work-based training, up to $12,000.
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Fees Free aims to motivate and reward learners for completing their qualification or programme, and reduce the overall cost of their study and learning.
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Fees Free can only be used once.
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For more information visit the Fees Free website, www.feesfree.govt.nz/final-year.
Eligibility for Fees Free
To get Fees Free for your final year of study and training you must:
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complete a qualification or a programme eligible for Fees Free, and
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meet the residency criteria at the time you complete, and
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meet the prior study and training criteria, and
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not have already used Fees Free.
If you would like to check if you meet residency and prior study and training criteria before you complete your qualification or programme visit the Fees Free website, www.feesfree.govt.nz/final-year.
What learners need to do
At enrolment
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When you enroll for your study or training you will need to pay your fees. To help cover this cost, you may wish to apply for a Student Loan.
On completion
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When you complete your first eligible qualification or work-based programme, you can confirm your eligibility and claim your Fees Free entitlement.
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You have one year to claim your entitlement.
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You will be able to do this through myIR from early 2026.
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If you have a Student Loan, your entitlement will go towards paying off your Student Loan. If you don’t have a Student Loan, the entitlement will be paid to a bank account you nominate.
IRD numbers
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Your tertiary education organisation may request your IRD number. This will make it easier for you to claim your Fees Free entitlement after you complete your first eligible qualification or work-based programme.
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You do not need to provide your IRD number if you have already used your Fees Free entitlement or you know your qualification/programme is not eligible for Fees Free.
Shorter qualifications
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Keep in mind some shorter qualifications (like certificates) you complete before a degree or diploma may use your Fees Free entitlement. For more information talk to your tertiary education organisation.
