Originator/Sponsor: Primary ITO
Portfolio Managers: Jackie Lynch
Status: In Delivery
Planned delivery date: 30 June 2025
Lead Agency/Service Provider: Skills Group
Objectives:
By professionalising arboriculture through structured education and qualifications, the industry can deliver greater benefits to both the communities it serves and the broader New Zealand economy. The Case Study also outlines a strategic vision for arboriculture training over the next decade.
Intended Audiences and Uses
The Case Study is designed to inform and engage a range of stakeholders, including:
- Government agencies and officials – Supporting policy and investment in vocational training, qualification frameworks, and workforce development.
- Arboriculture businesses – Encouraging employers to invest in training and upskilling staff.
- Farmers and growers – Demonstrating the value of trained arborists for land and crop management.
- Prospective trainees – Serving as a foundation for promotional materials that highlight training opportunities and career pathways.
- General public (optional) – Raising awareness of arboriculture’s environmental, economic, and social contributions.
This Case Study identifies both the opportunities and challenges related to training within New Zealand’s arboriculture sector. It explores three core themes:
- Background
- Overview of the diverse applications of arboriculture across agriculture, horticulture, commercial operations, and hobbyist activities.
- The environmental and economic significance of arboriculture in New Zealand.
- Introduction to the vision, goals, and current activities of Arboriculture NZ.
- A Skilled Workforce
- Assessment of the current workforce: estimated number of practitioners and the gap between current capacity and projected industry demand.
- Analysis of existing skill levels and skill shortages within the sector.
- Evaluation of the industry’s willingness and ability to support training, including hosting trainees or partnering with providers.
- The role of vocational education in workforce development, staff retention, and industry sustainability.
- Identification of key challenges and risks, such as workforce aging and future succession planning.
- Training
- Identification of training needs and strategies for attracting and engaging potential trainees.
- Overview of current training options, including formal qualifications and informal or on-the-job training pathways.
- Exploration of barriers to training uptake, such as cost, accessibility, and employer capacity.
The development of this Case Study included interviews with key stakeholders in the arboriculture sector, including:
- The New Zealand Arboriculture Association (NZ Arb)
- Education and training providers
- Industry practitioners and business representatives
The Case Study found that New Zealand’s arboriculture sector is at a crossroads, facing critical challenges such as skill shortages, an aging workforce, limited training pathways, and low public recognition. Yet, growing demand for tree services and increased awareness of urban trees’ environmental and social value present clear opportunities for growth and professionalisation.
Read the full report to learn how a coordinated response can secure a strong, sustainable future for arboriculture in New Zealand.
The above information was current as at 11 July 2025