Professional Development Hub
Where you’ll find support to grow your celebrancy business.
Validated Celebrant Aotearoa New Zealand (VCANZ)
VCANZ is the professional validation pathway for Celebrants Aotearoa New Zealand members. It recognises your experience, your commitment to professional development, and your dedication to delivering ceremonies of the highest standard.
VCANZ was established at the request of our members to support and recognise ongoing personal and professional development. It gives celebrants a way to demonstrate their experience and commitment to ongoing professional development, and to the provision of services of the highest possible standard.
Participation is optional, however once achieved, your VCANZ status is valid for four years.
Your journey to validation...
Step 1
Check your eligibility →
Step 2
Gather your evidence →
Step 3
Prepare your application →
Step 4
Prepare for an ethics test →
Step 5
Submit your application →
Step 6
Review & evaluation.
Resources
Getting started
Supporting evidence
Important links
VCANZ Members
Already a VCANZ member?
View the helpful templates and FAQs below.
Need help?
Our support team are here to help, whether it’s a question that’s not covered in our FAQ’s below, something technical, or where to go to find what you need.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the eligibility requirements for VCANZ?
Before you apply, ask yourself:
✅ Have you:
Been a member of Celebrants Aotearoa for at least 2 years, OR
Completed a full training diploma or certificate (which waives the 2-year membership requirement), OR
Recently joined Celebrants Aotearoa but you have been a Celebrant for more than two years and can provide evidence of your experience and ongoing professional development.
✅ Have you collected ample evidence of quality practice; through recording your ongoing professional development and ceremony reflection through journalling?
What is the VCANZ process?
1. Understand the VCANZ Process
Start by familiarising yourself with the VCANZ guidelines and checking your eligibility. This is your roadmap to a smooth application. Read the essential guide here.
2. Gather Your Evidence
Make a list of the professional development (PD) activities you’ve completed, and think about which of your ceremonies you’ll reflect on in your application. You’ll generally need around eight PD events or activities to meet all the required points. There’s also a separate guide to help you collect your PD evidence. You can view it here.
3. Prepare Your Application Templates
Download and complete the two key templates:
4. Get Ready for Your Ethics Test
Complete the Code of Conduct and Ethics e-learning module to prepare for the short ethics test.
Access the module here.
5. Submit Your Application
Log in to your personal CANZ profile and create your application online from the VCANZ tab.
Simply copy and paste the information from your completed templates into the online form.
Follow the Completion Checklist and you’ll see a SUBMIT button once all checklist items – your Ethics and Professional Standards test and the Declaration, as well as payment – are complete.
6. Await Feedback and Your Result
Your application will be reviewed by a validator, and you’ll receive your result within approximately six weeks.
View the step by step VCANZ process here.
What if I am a graduate of The Celebrant School or the Celebrant Training College?
Celebrants Aotearoa recognises the benefits of undertaking celebrant specific professional development and how that learning relates directly to the Professional Competency or Competencies being assessed under the validation process.
The Celebrant School and The Celebrant Training College are approved training providers for Celebrants Aotearoa.
The National Executive has approved the following for the initial VCANZ submission for graduates:
- You may use your reflections on 3 of the ceremonies submitted to your approved training provider to successfully complete your programme.
- VCANZ submissions are required to include 5 ceremonies, therefore reflection on a further 2 ceremonies delivered by you will be required.
- You may choose to use the content of the training programme as the only source of evidence for the professional development section of the VCANZ submission (the content has already been approved by Celebrants Aotearoa as being aligned to all criteria under the Professional Competencies).
- A refund of 75% of the VCANZ fee will be provided upon successful completion of your validation. This relates to achievement of the following:
NB: The above points are only available for the initial VCANZ submission by a graduate of either approved training provider, and who has graduated within the last 4 years.
Are there any workshops available to assist with preparing my VCANZ application?
VCANZ workshops are held bi-monthly for members who are completing their VCANZ application – attending these workshops will assist you in preparing your application as well as ask any questions.
All National Education Programme and Conference workshops are aligned to meet Professional compentencies.
When possible, Branch workshops will align with the Professional Competencies.
Book your VCANZ workshop here.
Who can support me if I need help with my VCANZ application?
Should you require any guidance or support with your VCANZ submission, please feel free to contact one of our VCANZ Supporters, their contact details are listed below:
| Carol Galloway | Wellington | carolgallowaynz01@gmail.com | 021 139 3412 |
| Anna Flanagan | Canterbury | anna-flanagan@outlook.com | 029 477 2662 |
| Julie Stewart | Manawatu/Whanganui | Stewart.place@xtra.co.nz | 021 319 931 |
| Joy Ramsay | Southern | celebrant@joyramsay.co.nz | 021 126 1504 |
| Janetta Mandeno | Manawatu/Whanganui | janetta.mandeno@xtra.co.nz | 021 119 4446 |
| Winnie Duggan | Wellington | winnie@lifecelebrant.co.nz | 021 071 1257 |
CANZ support can also assist with any questions you may have.
Email the support team here: support@celebrantsassociation.co.nz.
What professional development is available for me to grow my skills and knowledge as a celebrant?
All Celebrants Aotearoa members are encouraged to undertake structured learning throughout their careers to ensure that they maintain and enhance their knowledge and skills to improve the quality of service they offer.
Celebrants Aotearoa believes that celebrant specific professional training leading to a recognised qualification is very important, and has approved the qualifications of two New Zealand training providers:
Undertaking celebrant specific training with either of these approved training providers is highly recommended.
Celebrants Aotearoa Events and Workshops
All National Education Programme and Conference workshops are aligned to meet Professional compentencies.
When possible, Branch workshops will align with the Professional Competencies.
Making the most of these opportunities helps you to grow as a celebrant and continue with ongoing professional development.
View all Celebrants Aotearoa events here.
Can the CANZ support team assist me with VCANZ questions?
The Celebrants Aotearoa support team are always available to help with any questions you may have and provide any assistance.
Email the support team here support@celebrantsassociation.co.nz.
How do I submit my VCANZ application?
Log in to your member profile and create your application online from the VCANZ tab.
Simply copy and paste the information from your completed templates into the online form.
Follow the Completion Checklist and you’ll see a SUBMIT button once all checklist items – including your Ethics and Professional Standards test and the Declaration, as well as payment – are complete.
View your member profile and start your application here.
Email the support team if you have any questions or need assistance –support@celebrantsassociation.co.nz.
What happens once I submit my VCANZ application?
After submitting:
- You’ll receive confirmation that your application has been received.
- Your validator may contact you for additional information or clarification – this is common and does not mean your application has failed.
- Simply address the feedback, make the requested updates, and resubmit.
- You may submit up to three times within one year, including your initial submission.
- If VCANZ isn’t achieved, a stand-down period allows time for reflection or further learning.
- You’ll receive your final result within six weeks, along with detailed feedback from your validator.
Where can I find the VCANZ logo?
Celebrants Aotearoa validated members may use the initials VCANZ after their name on their Celebrants Aotearoa website listings and your profile will change from blue to green.
VCANZ members appear before non-VCANZ members when people search the Find your Celebrant listings on the Celebrants Aotearoa website.
You may also use the VCANZ logo on your website and any other marketing material.
The VCANZ logo is provided upon successful completion of VCANZ.