Massey High School
Landscaper Kaihoahoa Whakapaipai Whenua
Landscapers design, develop, maintain and remodel gardens and landscapes.
Landscapers may do some or all of the following:
- discuss and develop designs with clients
- read and interpret plans and discuss design concepts with landscape architects
- do basic planning and design work, and planting plans
- calculate construction costs such as labour and materials
- select seeds, bulbs and plants and plant these
- construct decking, fencing, walls and courtyards, and lay down paving
- install garden lighting, irrigation and ornaments.
Physical Requirements
Landscapers need to have a good level of fitness and must be strong, as their work involves bending, kneeling for long periods and heavy lifting.
Useful Experience
Useful experience for landscapers includes:
- any building and construction work
- any work in the horticulture industry
- labouring work.
Personal Qualities
Landscapers need to be:
- reliable and hard working
- able to work independently or as part of a team.
Skills
Landscapers need to have knowledge of:
- different plants and their required growing conditions
- how to interpret and follow plans and drawings
- construction methods and materials
- design regulations, permits and plans
- tiling and bricklaying.
Business skills are useful for landscapers who run their own business.
Conditions
Landscapers:
- usually work regular business hours, but often work weekends
- spend most of their time in gardens and construction sites
- work in most weather conditions and in conditions that can be muddy
- may have to travel locally or further away for jobs.
Subject Recommendations
A minimum of three years' of secondary education is recommended. Useful subjects include English, maths, horticulture, biology and processing technologies.
Year 11 and 12 students can work towards a New Zealand Certificate in Horticulture through the National Trade Academy while still working towards NCEA. This usually includes off-site learning and some on-the-job training.
Related Courses
Landscapers can earn around $23 per hour.
Pay for landscapers varies depending on experience, qualifications and where in New Zealand they work.
- Landscapers with no qualifications or in training can expect to earn minimum wage or a little more.
- Landscapers usually earn $25 to $36 an hour.
Experienced landscapers with extra responsibilities, in managerial positions or who run their own business can earn more.
However for those who are self-employed, what they earn depends on the success of their business.
Source: careers.govt.nz research, Seek, 2023, Trade Me 2023..
Landscapers may progress to a team leader or managerial role, or set up their own landscaping company.
Years Of Training
There are no specific requirements to become a landscaper. However, horticultural or gardening experience is useful. A driver's licence is also preferred by most employers.
Many employers prefer to hire someone with relevant training. Landscape design courses are available through a number of polytechnics and you can train on the job and complete an apprenticeship in landscaping through the Primary Industry Training Organisation (Primary ITO).
WEB88, Rendered 5.63MB in 0.0517 seconds with 12 queries.
