Planning, preparation and a farewell were on the agenda when Celebrants Aotearoa’s National Executive gathered recently for its second face-to-face meeting of the year.
With new members on board and CANZ Support’s wonderful Hazel Raye alongside them, the team spent a productive day preparing for the next six months.
The meeting also provided an opportunity to farewell Wendy Eynon from the National Executive and thank her for her contribution. Happily, Wendy’s involvement with CANZ continues as she takes on leadership of the Taranaki Branch. Thank you, Wendy, and all the best for this next chapter!
Our NE members each hold portfolios and maintain connections with branches across the motu. Here is who is looking after what, along with the branch liaison arrangements for September 2026.
| NE member | Role and portfolios | Branch liaison |
|---|---|---|
| Anna Flanagan | President; strategy, complaints, BDM, marketing and communications, including social media | Top of the South |
| Elizabeth (Libby) Carson | Vice-President; co-finance, funeral celebrancy and FDANZ stakeholder liaison | Wellington–Wairarapa; Manawatū–Whanganui and Taranaki |
| Dr Iwi Allan (Iwi) Te Whau | Māori rōpū | Central (Bay of Plenty and Waikato); Hawke’s Bay–East Coast |
| Ayyam O’Brien | OPD and education | Canterbury West Coast |
| Christine Balle | VCANZ | Auckland; Northland |
| Debbie Shaw | Branch connectivity | Southern |
| Hazel Raye | CANZ Support | Thames–Coromandel |
These connections help keep communication flowing both ways between branches and the National Executive. Branch committees are welcome to contact their designated liaison or any NE member at any time.
Photo: Iwi Te Whau, Ayyam O’Brien, Wendy Eynon, Debbie Shaw, Hazel Raye, Libby Carson, Christine Balle and Anna Flanagan.
