Enrollment into the course also provides free access to Vectororks - a professional landscape design software worth thousands of dollars and free access the Vectorworks University
Foodscapes-Supported Permaculture Design Certificate2026 Cohort
Overview:
This Permaculture Design Certificate is delivered through the Regenpreneur online programme, with mentoring and cohort-based guidance provided by Foodscapes.
The course is designed as a paced, year-long learning pathway that supports deep understanding of permaculture design while fitting alongside real lives, real land, and real constraints. Learners work through the full accredited PDC curriculum online, applying concepts to a real or hypothetical site through observation, research, and design tasks.
Learning approach:
The Regenpreneur Permaculture Design Certificate focuses on systems thinking, ecological literacy, and applied design skills rather than isolated techniques.
Learning combines:
The programme is fully online. Learners work autonomously on their own site or design project, supported through mentoring and group-based guidance rather than individual instruction.
There is no requirement to implement designs during the course. Learning may remain theoretical if that suits a learner’s circumstances.
How this supported pathway works.
This pathway combines two clearly defined roles.
Regenpreneur provides:
Foodscapes provides:
These roles are intentionally distinct to ensure clarity and consistency for learners.
What is included:
By enrolling in the Foodscapes-supported pathway, you receive:
What you will learn
Through the course, learners develop the ability to:
Final Design Portfolio and assessment: The Final Design Portfolio is the capstone of the Permaculture Design Certificate.
Learners progressively build this portfolio throughout the course by completing research and design tasks linked to each module. The portfolio demonstrates the learner’s ability to observe, analyse, and apply permaculture design principles to a real or hypothetical site.
Regenpreneur assesses portfolios against the requirements of a standard Permaculture Design Certificate. Successful completion leads to the award of the PDC.
Expected outcomes:
By the end of the programme, learners will have:
Who this pathway is suited to:
This supported pathway is a good fit if you:
No prior permaculture training is required, and you do not need to own land.
Course timing:
The facilitated pathway is structured to support learners progressing through the curriculum at a broadly similar pace, while recognising that individual circumstances vary.
Participants should plan for approximately 100 hours of learning, or 3–4 hours per week, across the programme. Consistent engagement alongside the cohort is encouraged, but not compulsory. Mentoring rhythms and cohort communication are coordinated by Foodscapes.
Enrolment process
Places in the Foodscapes facilitated cohort are limited and subject to a short application process.
If you’ve been invited to join the cohort, you can proceed to enrol here 👉🏼
Course fee:
The course fee for the Foodscapes-supported 2026 Permaculture Design Certificate is $500 NZD.
Payment is made directly through Regenpreneur at enrolment.
Full course details:
If you are unsure whether this pathway is right for you, please return to Foodscapes to discuss your Expression of Interest before enrolling.
Overview:
This Permaculture Design Certificate is delivered through the Regenpreneur online programme, with mentoring and cohort-based guidance provided by Foodscapes.
The course is designed as a paced, year-long learning pathway that supports deep understanding of permaculture design while fitting alongside real lives, real land, and real constraints. Learners work through the full accredited PDC curriculum online, applying concepts to a real or hypothetical site through observation, research, and design tasks.
Learning approach:
The Regenpreneur Permaculture Design Certificate focuses on systems thinking, ecological literacy, and applied design skills rather than isolated techniques.
Learning combines:
- structured online content
- self-directed study
- practical design tasks
- reflection and synthesis through a Final Design Portfolio
The programme is fully online. Learners work autonomously on their own site or design project, supported through mentoring and group-based guidance rather than individual instruction.
There is no requirement to implement designs during the course. Learning may remain theoretical if that suits a learner’s circumstances.
How this supported pathway works.
This pathway combines two clearly defined roles.
Regenpreneur provides:
- the accredited Permaculture Design Certificate curriculum
- the online learning platform
- assessment of the Final Design Portfolio
- certification on completion
Foodscapes provides:
- mentoring and guidance for the cohort
- onboarding and orientation
- pacing support and learning rhythm
- facilitated group discussion and shared learning
- contextual framing relevant to Aotearoa New Zealand
These roles are intentionally distinct to ensure clarity and consistency for learners.
What is included:
By enrolling in the Foodscapes-supported pathway, you receive:
- Access to the full Regenpreneur Permaculture Design Certificate curriculum
- Online learning platform access for the duration of the programme
- Mentoring and cohort-based guidance provided by Foodscapes
- Participation in a supported learning cohort
- Assessment of the Final Design Portfolio by Regenpreneur
- A globally recognised Permaculture Design Certificate on completion
- Access to Vectorworks landscape design software and Vectorworks University for the duration of the course
What you will learn
Through the course, learners develop the ability to:
- Understand permaculture ethics and principles and apply them to real decisions
- Read landscapes including climate, water, soils, slope, sun, wind, and existing patterns
- Think in systems rather than isolated elements
- Design integrated food, water, shelter, access, and infrastructure systems
- Build resilience through soil health, biodiversity, and thoughtful planning
- Create a coherent whole-site concept design
- Develop a staged design suitable for gradual implementation
Final Design Portfolio and assessment: The Final Design Portfolio is the capstone of the Permaculture Design Certificate.
Learners progressively build this portfolio throughout the course by completing research and design tasks linked to each module. The portfolio demonstrates the learner’s ability to observe, analyse, and apply permaculture design principles to a real or hypothetical site.
Regenpreneur assesses portfolios against the requirements of a standard Permaculture Design Certificate. Successful completion leads to the award of the PDC.
Expected outcomes:
By the end of the programme, learners will have:
- A completed Final Design Portfolio
- A clear framework for approaching land and systems design
- Increased confidence in long-term, regenerative decision-making
- Design skills transferable across different sites and life stages
- A Permaculture Design Certificate issued by Regenpreneur
Who this pathway is suited to:
This supported pathway is a good fit if you:
- Want a structured but flexible way to complete a PDC over time
- Value mentoring and group-based learning
- Are comfortable working independently on your own site or design project
- Prefer a paced programme rather than an intensive block course
- Want to work with real-world constraints rather than idealised scenarios
No prior permaculture training is required, and you do not need to own land.
Course timing:
The facilitated pathway is structured to support learners progressing through the curriculum at a broadly similar pace, while recognising that individual circumstances vary.
Participants should plan for approximately 100 hours of learning, or 3–4 hours per week, across the programme. Consistent engagement alongside the cohort is encouraged, but not compulsory. Mentoring rhythms and cohort communication are coordinated by Foodscapes.
Enrolment process
Places in the Foodscapes facilitated cohort are limited and subject to a short application process.
If you’ve been invited to join the cohort, you can proceed to enrol here 👉🏼
Course fee:
The course fee for the Foodscapes-supported 2026 Permaculture Design Certificate is $500 NZD.
Payment is made directly through Regenpreneur at enrolment.
Full course details:
- Course details page: https://www.regenpreneur.org/permaculturenz.html
- Information on Foodscapes Facilitation available here: www.foodscapes.nz/facilitated-online-pdc-2026/
If you are unsure whether this pathway is right for you, please return to Foodscapes to discuss your Expression of Interest before enrolling.
What is Permaculture?
Permaculture is a design philosophy that draws inspiration from natural systems to create productive and harmonious systems. It originated in the 1970s by Bill Mollison and David Holmgren as a sustainable approach to agriculture. Permaculture has since expanded to include social aspects, business strategies, and systems thinking. It focuses on understanding and utilizing energy flows, such as sunlight and rain, to create resilient designs. The key ethics of permaculture are care for the Earth, care for people, and reinvesting surplus to support these ethics. Permaculture designs emphasize the interconnection and multiple benefits of each element, mimicking the complexity and stability of natural ecosystems.
Testimonials:
“Richard’s course was a fantastic way of being able to complete a PDC remotely. The content and community was engaging, and I learnt a lot. I would highly recommend to those considering furthering their permaculture education.“ Joel 2024
"I have really enjoyed this Permaculture Design Certificate and adding to my knowledge base. There are some areas that are not as pertinent to me living in suburbia, such as rotational grazing – they are, however, interesting to learn about. One module I didn’t think I would be interested in was Aquaponics – I really enjoyed it and thought it would be fun to experiment on a small scale in the future. Doing the course has helped me see some areas through new eyes. As well as gaining knowledge a large part of the reason for completing the PDC course was to help me know how to plan and work with any property we purchase in the future. Whilst looking at property listings I have had more awareness of things to look for – such as where the sun angles are, where do the winds come from, what is the topography like. I have a better understanding of where to go to find information should I need it. Whilst viewing a listing of a potential property recently we discovered it has a stream running through it. I was able to locate flood plain maps on the local district council website and ascertain the area was not in danger of flooding – something I may not have thought to do prior to doing this course." - Alison 2023
"Today I officially conclude my 1 year studies in permaculture. Wearing these new pair of lenses has been a journey of observation, taking in a lot of information and breath them out to find my own pace, understanding and creative interpretation of all. I've been blessed with the opportunity to trialing my learnings directly on a whenua which I called my "playground" for a few months; not without challenges, but mostly receiving healing and great feedback from the land itself. Permaculture is not just about growing food but it's a way of living, thinking, planning and flowing in all aspects of life. Today I dedicate this achievement to my grandmothers ko āu te whenua, ko āu te oneone, ko te whenua ko āu, ngā tangata! Special thanks to my mentor, Richard Pedley" - Francesca 2023
"When I started my journey in permaculture at the beginning of this year, I did not know much about it, except that it was a way to improve the soil and do less harm to the land. Well I have since had the privilege of gaining a deeper understanding of what Permaculture is, and what it is not. Permaculture design provides a pathway to mitigate and reverse the damage created from current land-use practices, through the regeneration of these agricultural and urban ecosystems. Regeneration is far more than simple renewal or restoration. It calls for the integration of aspects of ourselves as designers and as human beings. It demands that we reunite the art and science of design because we cannot succeed at sustainability if we fail to acknowledge human aspiration and will as the ultimate sustaining source of our activities. Throughout the course I have learnt how various systems impact on each other, and the approach guides us to mimic the patterns and relationships we find in nature, and in using the principles and ethics, I can improve my wellbeing and that of my family and environment. My goal is to use the knowledge gained, and to become self-sustaining in 5 years, to produce enough food for my family to eat, and yield a surplus in which to earn additional income." - Cecilia 2022
"When I started this online PDC last August, I really had no idea how far it would take me. What I initially wanted to get out of the course is to learn as much as I can about Permaculture, which I can further that knowledge to gain mastery, and then finally to make the world a better place for everyone. I didn’t come from a farming nor agricultural background. In fact, I second-guessed myself all the time because I can’t even get that plant I got for my office to survive. But I was different then, and I'm different now. I've learnt the importance of upskilling myself through knowledge that will push light onto those dark spaces of unknownness. Nothing is more liberating than a curious mind with an appetite for knowledge. In the end, what I got out of this PDC is really so much more. I went further than what I envisioned it to be like in the beginning, and as a result I was able to see things beyond what I could’ve ever imagined. The experience has also given me an insight into realizing my true potential, and that although the intent of this journey has everything to do with learning about permaculture; the real transformation is in coming back full circle on growth and resilience through a self-determination and reflective learning process: in other words, the biggest change; is me." - Dina 2022
"The Regenpreneur Online Permaculture Design Certificate is wonderfully comprehensive. I was impressed with the scope and depth of the topics and the ability to learn more through links to further resources – this lead to going down some great rabbit-holes as one idea lead to another. I’m well armed with lots of great material I will use again and again. The online format was great. I was able to do it in my own time and pace to suit my lifestyle and workload, yet had great support available. Richard has really good in-depth knowledge as a practitioner, but also as a teacher – his lectures were well structured and clear. Richard was very responsive to my questions and the Zoom sessions were useful for consolidating the learning, as well as getting to know the other participants and their amazing projects. If you want to do a PDC but don’t want a residential course, want to have a NZ focus to your learning, and have access to a great teacher, this is the PDC for you. I’m glad I chose this course over any other." Jackie 2021
“Richard’s course was a fantastic way of being able to complete a PDC remotely. The content and community was engaging, and I learnt a lot. I would highly recommend to those considering furthering their permaculture education.“ Joel 2024
"I have really enjoyed this Permaculture Design Certificate and adding to my knowledge base. There are some areas that are not as pertinent to me living in suburbia, such as rotational grazing – they are, however, interesting to learn about. One module I didn’t think I would be interested in was Aquaponics – I really enjoyed it and thought it would be fun to experiment on a small scale in the future. Doing the course has helped me see some areas through new eyes. As well as gaining knowledge a large part of the reason for completing the PDC course was to help me know how to plan and work with any property we purchase in the future. Whilst looking at property listings I have had more awareness of things to look for – such as where the sun angles are, where do the winds come from, what is the topography like. I have a better understanding of where to go to find information should I need it. Whilst viewing a listing of a potential property recently we discovered it has a stream running through it. I was able to locate flood plain maps on the local district council website and ascertain the area was not in danger of flooding – something I may not have thought to do prior to doing this course." - Alison 2023
"Today I officially conclude my 1 year studies in permaculture. Wearing these new pair of lenses has been a journey of observation, taking in a lot of information and breath them out to find my own pace, understanding and creative interpretation of all. I've been blessed with the opportunity to trialing my learnings directly on a whenua which I called my "playground" for a few months; not without challenges, but mostly receiving healing and great feedback from the land itself. Permaculture is not just about growing food but it's a way of living, thinking, planning and flowing in all aspects of life. Today I dedicate this achievement to my grandmothers ko āu te whenua, ko āu te oneone, ko te whenua ko āu, ngā tangata! Special thanks to my mentor, Richard Pedley" - Francesca 2023
"When I started my journey in permaculture at the beginning of this year, I did not know much about it, except that it was a way to improve the soil and do less harm to the land. Well I have since had the privilege of gaining a deeper understanding of what Permaculture is, and what it is not. Permaculture design provides a pathway to mitigate and reverse the damage created from current land-use practices, through the regeneration of these agricultural and urban ecosystems. Regeneration is far more than simple renewal or restoration. It calls for the integration of aspects of ourselves as designers and as human beings. It demands that we reunite the art and science of design because we cannot succeed at sustainability if we fail to acknowledge human aspiration and will as the ultimate sustaining source of our activities. Throughout the course I have learnt how various systems impact on each other, and the approach guides us to mimic the patterns and relationships we find in nature, and in using the principles and ethics, I can improve my wellbeing and that of my family and environment. My goal is to use the knowledge gained, and to become self-sustaining in 5 years, to produce enough food for my family to eat, and yield a surplus in which to earn additional income." - Cecilia 2022
"When I started this online PDC last August, I really had no idea how far it would take me. What I initially wanted to get out of the course is to learn as much as I can about Permaculture, which I can further that knowledge to gain mastery, and then finally to make the world a better place for everyone. I didn’t come from a farming nor agricultural background. In fact, I second-guessed myself all the time because I can’t even get that plant I got for my office to survive. But I was different then, and I'm different now. I've learnt the importance of upskilling myself through knowledge that will push light onto those dark spaces of unknownness. Nothing is more liberating than a curious mind with an appetite for knowledge. In the end, what I got out of this PDC is really so much more. I went further than what I envisioned it to be like in the beginning, and as a result I was able to see things beyond what I could’ve ever imagined. The experience has also given me an insight into realizing my true potential, and that although the intent of this journey has everything to do with learning about permaculture; the real transformation is in coming back full circle on growth and resilience through a self-determination and reflective learning process: in other words, the biggest change; is me." - Dina 2022
"The Regenpreneur Online Permaculture Design Certificate is wonderfully comprehensive. I was impressed with the scope and depth of the topics and the ability to learn more through links to further resources – this lead to going down some great rabbit-holes as one idea lead to another. I’m well armed with lots of great material I will use again and again. The online format was great. I was able to do it in my own time and pace to suit my lifestyle and workload, yet had great support available. Richard has really good in-depth knowledge as a practitioner, but also as a teacher – his lectures were well structured and clear. Richard was very responsive to my questions and the Zoom sessions were useful for consolidating the learning, as well as getting to know the other participants and their amazing projects. If you want to do a PDC but don’t want a residential course, want to have a NZ focus to your learning, and have access to a great teacher, this is the PDC for you. I’m glad I chose this course over any other." Jackie 2021
Examples from past students:
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