Ka Mua, Ka Muri – Honouring the Past, Inspiring the Future
Celebrating Milestones: 30th Anniversary, Graduation, & Workshop! Sunday 22 November 2026Original price was: $225.00.$150.00Current price is: $150.00. incl. GST
Join us for a special day of connection, celebration, learning and inspiration as The Celebrant School marks 30 years since formal celebrant training and the Certificate in Celebrant Studies began in Aotearoa New Zealand.
Whether you are a current student, graduate, practising celebrant, future celebrant, supporter of ceremony, or simply curious about the profession, this event is an opportunity to come together, honour our shared history, and explore what lies ahead.
Throughout the day, you will enjoy meaningful opportunities for reflection, whakawhanaungatanga, professional development and celebration as we:
- Reflect on the past 30 years with special guest Mary Hancock, founding Director of The Celebrant School and pioneer of celebrant education in New Zealand.
- Celebrate the present through an inspiring workshop led by acclaimed Australian celebrant educator Wendy Haynes, while acknowledging and welcoming those reaching significant milestones in their celebrant journey.
- Explore the future of ceremony, ritual and celebrancy in a changing world, including the implications of an AI-enhanced future.
This gathering celebrates the people, relationships, learning and leadership that have shaped our community over three decades. Whether you’ve been part of the journey for many years or are just beginning to explore celebrancy, we warmly invite you to be part of this milestone occasion.
Venue
Te Noho Kotahitanga Marae
Unitec, Auckland. Free on-site parking.
(Entry via Gate 3, Carrington Road, Mt Albert)
Registration Options
Full Day Experience | 10.00am – 5.00pm (recommended)
- Early Bird: $150 incl GST (until 10 October)
- Standard Price: $225 incl GST
Afternoon Ceremony Only | 2.20pm – 5.00pm
- Start with afternoon tea
- $75 incl GST
Optional Extras (add on at checkout)
Celebration Dinner Join us from 5.45pm at Nomad Bar & Restaurant, Pt Chevalier. $55 per person (food only. Drinks available to purchase at the venue as an additional cost)
Supporter Donation Unable to attend but would like to support the event or help make attendance possible for others? Contributions are warmly appreciated and will be acknowledged on the day.
If you want more details, contact Kathrine or our TCS info email.
In stock
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Ceremony and Celebration – kick start your celebrant training in the New Year!
20/21 & 27/28 February 2027 (online across 2 weekends)Is now the time? Have you been wondering what a celebrant really does, what makes a ceremony meaningful, or whether celebrancy could be your next professional step? Perhaps you have long wanted to become a marriage celebrant, or you have completed Marriage Celebrant Essentials and are ready to explore the deeper ceremonial dimensions of this mahi. Did you start with other papers and still need Ceremony and Celebration to complete your qualification?
Ceremony and Celebration offers a realistic and inspiring exploration into professional celebrancy. The course covers a wide range of contemporary ceremonies and builds some core skills required for practice as a professional celebrant. It is recommended as the first course in the Certificate in Celebrant Studies (although other entry points are possible to fit your schedule).
You will:
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Develop a strong understanding of ceremony and ritual
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Explore the role of the celebrant specifically in Aotearoa-New Zealand
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Build essential writing, presentation, and delivery skills
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Learn a practical framework for planning and designing ceremonies for births, deaths, marriages, and other significant life events
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Gain confidence, clarity, and a grounded sense of professional practice
The most frequent feedback we get is that students didn’t know what they didn’t know until they started this training.
Course dates and format
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Weekend 1: 20 & 21 February, 9.00am – 4.00pm
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Weekend 2: 27 & 28 Februray, 9.00am – 1.00pm
(ie The course is delivered across two weekends.)
Delivery
The programme is delivered fully via Zoom. We have created an engaging online learning experience that keeps participants connected, active, and involved. Past participants consistently report strong skill development, meaningful professional connections, and genuine enjoyment throughout the course.
Invest in yourself — and in your confidence and competence as a professional celebrant. Enrol by 30 January to secure the discounted earlybird fee.
Important Note: If you are wanting to gain a professional level qualification and graduate within the year, this is your best foundation to make all subsequent papers flow on easily.
Build Your Brand – Professional Practice
Wednesday evenings 17, 24 & 31 March 2027Prerequisite: Intended for students who have completed at least one Certificate paper, but practising celebrants wanting to improve their management and marketing systems may enrol for Ongoing Professional Development that is recognised by Celebrants Aotearoa. This first part of our Professional Practice strand is complemented by Polish Your Practice, PYP.
Student feedback has shown that celebrants often start making decisions about their brand early in their training, and appreciate some guidance to help avoid expensive mistakes. This is the reason we now teach our Professional Practice in 2 parts. This first part, BYB, helps you to define and/or refine your brand and establish the systems to manage and support your practice.
The course consists of three Zoom evening sessions held at 7.00pm-9.30pm on Wednesday 17, 24 & 31 March.
Enrol before 10 February to access the earlybird rate. Early enrolment ensures there is adequate time for pre-course work which requires some research on which to base your celebrant branding and systems.
Part 2: Polish Your Practice will be available twice during 2017 for anyone eligible to graduate in November 2027.