Marriage Celebrant Essentials (Feb)
starts Thursday 12th February 2026 on Zoom$400.00 incl. GST
This very popular, on-line, short course provides all the essentials for starting out on the right foot as a marriage celebrant. It ensures a thorough knowledge of the legalities imposed by the Marriage Act and recent changes affecting celebrants. You will be well set up for applying or renewing your appointment with BDM, and dealing with the tricky legal questions that invariably arise in a public role. You will learn about designing ceremonies at the simpler end of the spectrum and practical tips to build your confidence.
Class times on Zoom:
Thursday 12 Feb 2026: 7:00pm-9:30pm
Thursday 19 Feb 2026: 7:00pm-9:30pm
Thursday 26 Feb 2026: 7:00pm-9:30pm
This Feb MCE course coincides with Ceremony and Celebration, the foundation paper for the Certificate in Celebrant Studies. If you are serious about working as a professional celebrant, this combination will give you a strong start towards realising your dream. Note that MCE is also offered in March to give you some flexibility to choose your preferred dates.
The Earlybird rate for the Feb MCE class closes 8 Jan after which the course fee increases by $50. This course fills quickly so early enrolment is necessary to secure your place. To enable smooth processing of enrolments and adequate time for pre-course student preparation, we require enrolments at least one week before course commencement. Enrolments after this date incur a 10% admin surcharge.
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Funeral Celebrant – fabulous combo of online and face-to-face training
starting Wednesday 13th May 2026This combination of online and face-to-face funeral celebrant training gives you the best of both worlds – the convenience of Zoom to begin and the added depth of in-person training to complete. If you want to competently and confidently design and lead funeral ceremonies in NZ, there is no better option. You will build some skills and knowledge in the online classes and then meet for an intensive, practical weekend in Auckland. Here you get the inside view of the funeral industry with Q&A’s, site visits and presentation practice to a real live audience. This enriching experience has been highly endorsed by past students – it’s real and builds your collegial network at the same time!
We prefer students to have completed the Ceremony and Celebration paper first, although practising celebrants and others with experience in the industry and/or with loss and grief may also apply. (Contact the Director to discuss your suitability). Grab this opportunity for the ultimate funeral celebrant training package.
Note the dates:
Wednesday 13th May: 7:00pm-9:30pm online
Wednesday 20th May: 7:00pm-9:30pm online
Wednesday 27th May: 7:00pm-9:30pm online
Wednesday 3rd June: 7:00pm-9:30pm online
Saturday 13th June: : 10:00am-5:00pm face-to-face in Auckland
Sunday 14th June: 9:00am-3.00pm (Please note: the weekend times allow for those travelling)
Precourse work is sent prior to the first Zoom session.
Earlybird rate applies for those who have completed enrolment 6 weeks prior to course commencement. Later fee is $799)
To provide a smooth start for the group, we need all enrolments/course admin to be concluded 10 days before commencement – enrolments after this incur a 10% surcharge. Please enrol early.
Transition Ceremonies – Diploma paper
starting Wednesday 8 July 2026 - evening and weekend Zoom sessionsPrerequisite: At least 2 previous TCS papers including Ceremony & Celebration
Extend your skills and practice into Transition Ceremonies in a small class of experienced peers! This is an advanced course focusing on the design and delivery of ceremonies for transition through change and crisis – whether personal, family or community (e.g. illness, bereavement, abuse, infertility, separation and divorce, natural disasters etc). It is principally intended for those with existing mastery of key ceremony skills, and some experience as celebrants (or facilitators). If unsure, you are welcome to contact the Director to discuss your eligibility.
Dates: Wednesday evenings 8, 15, 22, 29 July & 5 Aug 7-9.30pm
plus Sunday 9 Aug 9.30 – 3pm
Weekend session time may vary depending on group size
Because this course is only offered every 2nd year, for many students, this will be the final paper for their Diploma in Celebrant Studies. Grab this opportunity to graduate in our 30th Anniversary celebrations.
Polish Your Practice (Prof Practice – Pt 2)
starting Monday 18 May 2026Prerequisite: This paper is one of the two components of our Professional Practice strand, and is typically completed last in your CertCelSts qualification. It may, however, be taken prior to Pt 1 – Building Your Brand. Please contact the Director if you are uncertain about your eligibility.
Polish Your Practice consolidates your learning across the four quadrants of professional celebrant practice and provides a final refinement of your performance standards.
This paper focuses on strengthening client engagement for more complex ceremonies, deepening your understanding of ceremonial purpose, and advancing your capability in working with diversity, difference, and sensitive contexts.
In addition, we examine emerging sector issues, including the role of technology and artificial intelligence in contemporary celebrancy. Participants may request specialist topics of interest, allowing the cohort’s needs to shape elements of the curriculum.
The course is delivered over four Zoom sessions, held weekly, 7.00pm-9.30pm (NZT) on these dates:
Monday 18 May 2026
Monday 25th May
Monday 1st June (note: this is the Kings Birthday Weekend)
Monday 8th June
Sessions combine discussion, case studies, skill-building exercises, ceremony delivery, and facilitated peer reflection.
Enrol by 12 April for earlybird rate