You will work with our highly experienced Maritime Tutors and use NMIT's world-class maritime facilities. Enter the bridge simulation suite, build your collision regulation skills and learn how to skipper a vessel in a wide range of conditions.

Here, you can build confidence with electronic navigation equipment whilst manoeuvring vessels in New Zealand ports. 

As the MNZ SRL Training Record Book(external link) is an important part of your programme completion, please click on the link to obtain a copy and start straight away. If you choose not to print it, a copy will be supplied to you, free of charge, by Te Pūkenga NMIT IMINZ 3-4 weeks after your enrolment start date. 

Please note there is no arranged workplace component in this programme. Applicants must have access to a powered, commercial vessel to complete their TRB and gain 200 hours of sea service.

You can enrol any time during the year; however, we recommend you apply as soon as you start your sea service.

This SRL programme is a combination of distance and classroom learning. The structure is as follows:

1.  Apply with Te Pūkenga NMIT - get set up with online access
2. Choose your on-campus block course dates.(external link) 
3. Learn online (19 weeks - 10 hours per week)
4. Work on your MNZ SRL TRB with your commercial skipper
5. Attend one of the on-campus block courses in Nelson (5 weeks)
6. Sit your MNZ Oral Examinations.

Before starting your studies, you should check you can pass the following: 

• Eye exam (form: Eyesight and color vision report(external link))  
• MNZ required medical exam (form: Certificate of Medical Fitness-National(external link))  

This must be presented to Maritime NZ before you can be issued this qualification. You cannot get this qualification if you can’t pass this test. It is a good idea to check this in advance. 

*Before you attend an on-campus block course in Nelson, you also need at least, a GP’s medical certificate to confirm you are fit to do our sea survival and fire extinguisher courses. A copy must be sent to the Programme Administrator prior to these courses. If you’ve completed the “Certificate of Medical Fitness-National”, you may submit this. There is no need for a second medical test. 

Whakatapoko | Admission 

General admission  

To be admitted to this programme, applicants must hold one of the following: 

40 credits at NCEA Level 1 or above, including 10 Literacy credits and 10 Numeracy credits 

Or  

[2895] New Zealand Certificate in Domestic Maritime Crewing (Level 3)  

Or 

a relevant qualification at NZQF Level 3 

Or

a recognised equivalent  

Special admission 

Any ākonga who is 20 years of age or older and has not reached the general admission requirements for their intended programme is eligible for Special Admission. Te Pūkenga works with the ākonga to ensure they are prepared for their intended programme. 

Discretionary admission  

Any ākonga who is not yet 20 years of age and has not reached the general admission requirements for their intended programme may be eligible for Discretionary Admission. In assessing whether to grant Discretionary Admission, the delegated authority focuses on the applicant’s level of preparedness for their intended programme. 

Additional requirements  

It is recommended that ākonga be employed or engaged in the Maritime industry. 

English language requirements

All applicants (international and domestic) for whom English or te reo Māori is not a first language need to provide evidence that they have the necessary English language proficiency required for the programme.  

International applicants are required to have an IELTS (General or Academic) score of 5.5 with no individual band lower than 5 from a single test taken in the preceding two years, or an equivalent described in NZQA Rules(external link).