New Zealand Certificate in Pest Operations (Level 3)

Lyndon Hopkins - Hunting and Pest Control

Lyndon was out of work as a dive instructor so saw the Hunting and Pest course as an opportunity to extend his outdoor skill set. “I love working outside and have always had an interest in conservation. This course will give me a land based qualification to add to my sea based background.”

“The tutors are hugely knowledgeable with years of experience and it’s great being with a range of students all interested in the outdoors. We’re covering the theory side of things at the moment, which I’m used to, but I’m really looking forward to being out into the bush and getting hands-on experience in that learning environment.”

“Conservation is my passion and I’ve always loved the idea of working with D.O.C. Hunting is simply a means of controlling pests.”

“The dream to me would be working in a place with both a bush and beach environment. I have a friend who works monitoring and looking after animal numbers at Mimiwhangata. Living and working somewhere like that would be the ultimate.”

“I’m keen to help the next generation spend more time outside and to serve as a role model for them in some way. We have this amazing natural resource in the north and I want to encourage youth to enjoy getting out amongst it.”

Sam Henry - Pest Control

“Two mates and I have already started trapping possums but we decided we needed more knowledge so we’re all doing this course together. Before the possum trapping I was working in avocado and kiwifruit orchards but my heart wasn’t in it. I was keen to do something for myself.”

“One of the stand outs of the course is that we go on a nine day camp in the Uraweras hunting pigs and stags. We also go to the gun range and learn about other Health and Safety issues, plus we get our tickets for poisoning and touch on some business skills. This is all knowledge that will serve us well in our own business. It will give us confidence and make everything about it legitimate.”

“I’m no good at writing and note taking but the tutor really encourages us to just ask if we are struggling. He has so much knowledge plus he has a network of contacts that will be useful for us in the future.”

“I also want to show my kids that there is a different way to live. I want them to know that meat doesn’t just arrive in a plastic bag in the supermarket and I want them to learn survival skills. My son is only three and already he can’t get enough of learning about being outside.”

“After the course we’ll get back into working for ourselves but we’ll be doing it better and we might add other adventures to the business too.”

“When we started doing our own thing a few months ago, I questioned it. By doing this course I’m proving to myself that I can follow my heart and be successful. I can trust myself. Follow your heart because your head will follow that. It makes you feel so much better inside yourself.”