New short courses for New Zealand Irrigation and Hydrology sectors
15 August 2025
Primary ITO has launched three new micro-credentials to provide targeted learning for people responsible for irrigation water meter installation, verification of accuracy, and reporting – and the measurement of waterflow in rivers and streams.
Water meter installation. Credit: Irrigation NZ
Two of the new micro-credentials (bite-sized learning) focus on the installation and verification of water meters for irrigation in primary sector environments. These are:
- Irrigation - Full pipe water measurement device installation and commission micro-credential (Level 5): Learn how to select and install a water meter for an irrigation system and ensure it is set up to report water useage accurately, in accordance with best practice. Includes legislation, regulatory requirements and code of practice.
- Irrigation - Full pipe water measurement device verification micro-credential (Level 5): Learn how to prepare for and carry out a system check of a water meter to ensure it is reading and recording water usage accurately. Includes legislation, regulations and code of practice.
Developed and delivered in collaboration with IrrigationNZ, both micro-credentials take two months to complete. Learning is completed online, followed by a practical on-job assessment.
Primary ITO sector manager Tanya Ingram says the micro-credentials are a way for people new to the industry to upskill, and for experienced people to gain formal recognition of the skills they hold.
IrrigationNZ commercial manager Julie Melhopt says the new qualifications were developed following discussions about turning existing standalone unit standards into micro-credentials.
Julie says the micro-credentials are ideal for companies who have staff go out to install or verify water meters, whether they are big service providers or smaller players.
“If you are irrigating, you want to know that you are applying the right amount of water at the right time and reporting that accurately. Council can also understand how much water is being used in their region.”
The micro-credentials also link to the IrrigationNZ Blue Tick water meter accreditation programme. Companies wishing to gain accreditation will need their staff to complete the training.
Interested in these programmes? Click here to speak with one of our team.
Wading gaugings being carried out. Photo Credit: Envco
New Hydrology micro-credential
People involved in measuring river and stream waterflow can have their skills recognised with a new “bite-sized” qualification through Primary ITO.
The Discharge Measurement - Hydrology Micro-Credential (Level 5) provides targeted knowledge and skills for performing discharge waterflow measurements in rivers that can be waded, and in streams. It covers the use of measurement equipment, and the collecting, filing and reporting of data.
Learning is completed on-job with a workbook, followed by a practical assessment.
Primary ITO sector adviser Kerryn Bloomfield says, “this micro-credential provides the opportunity to gain practical skills, real-life learning and experience on the job.”
Developed in collaboration with The New Zealand Hydrological Society, president Mike Ede says industry regulations require river flows to be measured by competent and capable people.
Mike says the micro-credential covers straight forward river flow measuring, with more complex measurements covered by the diploma.
The micro-credential can be used as a stepping stone onto the full Primary ITO Diploma in Hydrology (Level 5). A learner can also have their micro-credential learning applied towards the diploma and receive reduced fees.
This is the first in a series of hydrology micro-credentials set to be available.
Find more information on the hydrology micro-credential here.