Permaculture Design Course
(PDC)
Transform Your Lifestyle:
Join our next annual Permaculture Design Course
in Matakana, Auckland
NEXT COURSE STARTS SATURDAY 18TH APRIL 2026
Watch a 1 minute video about the
Permaculture Design Course:
Our Permaculture Design Course is an internationally-recognised, modular Permaculture Design Certificate (PDC) course + additional practical workshops.
2026 is our 7th year of running the PDC in Matakana.
What is Permaculture?
Permaculture is a practical design system that helps you live sustainably by working with nature. From growing your own food abundantly, to designing and creating a resilient property and lifestyle, it’s the ultimate design system and toolkit for thriving - especially in uncertain times.
Permaculture is about Caring for the Earth, Caring for People and Caring for and Sharing Resources.
COURSE
STRUCTURE
Our modular course is held over 7 months: 9 Saturdays & 3 Sundays with a mix of knowledge, experiential learning and hands-on practical workshop days.
The course consists of 12 full days.
The course content covers a range of essential permaculture themes and applications during the Knowledge days and Practical Workshop days on Saturdays and Sundays, respectively.
COURSE
TOPICS
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Permaculture principles & ethos
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Ecology and climate resilience
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Permaculture Zones & Sectors
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Water in the Landscape - management
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Property site analysis & design process
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Designing regenerative, edible landscapes
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Soil health & enhancement
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Tree forestry, plant guilds
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Animal Integration
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Ecological building
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Urban permaculture
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Social permaculture & community resilience
PRACTICAL
WORKSHOPS
Our Permaculture Design Course offers you the flexibility to choose from a wide range of practical hands-on 'how to' workshops so you can attend the ones you are interested in:
(Minimum of 3 practical workshops for the PDC, discounted price for more):
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Forest gardens & Hugelkultur garden beds
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Composting, Grafting, Plant Propogation
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Organic gardening & Seed saving
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Pruning & grafting
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Growing Mushrooms at Home
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Eco-building techniques
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Growing your Inner Resilience
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1-day Field Trip to inspiring permaculture properties
COURSE TUTORS
Join experienced Permaculture NZ-affiliated facilitator, Guenther Andraschko, and an amazing line up of permaculture designers and professionals - all experts in their own field. See Tutor page for more information.
Guenther Andraschko
Lead Facilitator
Stephen Moller
Ecological Building
Judy Keats
Guest Tutor
Tim Croft
Pruning and Tree shaping
Carl Pickens
Guest Tutor
Avril Hamlin
Deep Ecology and Inner Resilience
Trish Allen
Guest Tutor
Hear from Course Graduates
"The Permaculture Design course was very useful and distills theory into practical so well - the tutors were inspirational!"
Elizabeth Yuda
"The course had well organised content and gave huge learnings for a very affordable price. A fantastic opportunity to open my mind to possibilities. Guenther was so practical, so real. Thank you"
Nicky Hattam
"The permaculture design course was such a practical course about sustainable living, caring for people and the planet. The tutors really walked their talk and I loved meeting so many incredible people on the course that I'd genuinely like to stay in contact with"
Ruth Dande
"A life-changing course with practical information - 10/10!"
Joanna Gullett
"The permaculture design course helped to build my confidence in designing and producing an effective permaculture design".
Teressa Thomson
"A wonderful opportunity to learn new skills and knowledge towards making the world a better place. I loved Guenther's warmth and humour. Heartily recommend the course!"
Ruth Diver
"I really enjoyed the content and delivery of this permaculture design course. This is the medicine for the future - everyone needs to do this course!"
Eliza Kang
"The course was run and executed like a well-oiled machine. The tutors were great – what a team.
Alaina George