About Us

Through many new obstacles that surface with each passing year, we are actively trying to evolve and offer the most value, and support to our members. If there is ever anything that you wish to add to our focus, please don’t hesitate to reach out to the NZEA Executive.

At 2pm on Saturday October 2, 1971, ten New Zealanders who were members of The British Institute of Embalmers, sat at the table in the White Heron Lodge, Kilbernie, Wellington, and as the minutes of the day show:
“… after a short discussion, formed an Association under the name of “The New Zealand Embalmers Association”.

The New Zealand Embalmers Association has a rich history, and each Executive Member, and Embalmer who has passed through the association has left their mark on the landscape of Embalming in New Zealand. Founder Alan Irvine explained that the “NZEA never intended to impose a rigid set of principles, but rather to provide the forum to foster growth and achievement amongst its members, and to provide a lobby to the industry and government agencies”.

25 years on Michael Hope (President 1996) stated that “The NZEA has grown and developed over its 25 years and is now in a position where it has matured and provides a stable basis and environment for its members to meet and share and express their views”. In 2024, more than 50 years from the establishment of the Association we can say that we still actively strive to achieve the same objectives originally proposed by the founding members.

Our Vision

The object of the Association is to take such steps as are necessary to protect and foster the interests of members who are embalmers including providing members with the support and services required to be recognised as the pre-eminent voice and standard setters for embalming in New Zealand.

Our Objectives

Advocacy

To promote the best interests of embalmers in general and of members in particular.

Promoting Education

To encourage up-to-date knowledge in embalming techniques, and to continue to promote education and recognised training using the latest methods.

Professional Development

On a regular basis, arrange educational meetings and trainings that will assist members with their continuing professional development.

Resources

To develop a range of relevant and clearly articulated resources to assist members in providing the highest quality of embalming service.

Networking

To foster harmony and understanding within the membership.

Setting Standards

To promote high professional and personal standards as detailed in the Code of Ethics, and the Code of Professional Conduct

History of NZEA

40 Years Book

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25 Years Book

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20 Years Book

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Our History

Founding Members

Roger Burgoyne (Wellington)
Francis Day (Nelson)
Lionel Griggs (Palmerston North)
Alan Irvine (Wellington)
Cedric Little (Auckland)
Eric Maffey (Christchurch)
Albert Marker (Christchurch)
David Morris (Wellington)
Graham Shirely (Nelson)
Peter Strong (Wellington)
Jack Airton (Auckland)
Harry Rollo (Auckland)
Stan Stout (Auckland)

Past Presidents

Dates	Name
1971 – 73	Peter Strong (Founding Chairman)
1973 – 75	David Morris
1975 – 77	Graham Shirely
1977 – 79	Lindsay Helson
1979 – 81	Derek Hope
1981 – 83	Francis Day
1983 - 84	Barrie Head
1984 – 86	Neil Hickey
1986 – 88	Eric Maffey
1988 – 90	Michael Wolffram
1990 – 92	Peter Cohen
1992 – 93	Mark Pattinson
1993 -95	John Schipper
1995 - 97	Michael Hope
1997 – 99	Alistair Ferguson
1999 – 2001	Brenton Faithful
2001 – 03	Johanna Kinvig (First Female President)
2003 - 06	David Parker
2006 – 07	Andrew Malcolm
2007 – 09	Wade Downey
2009 – 12	Andrew Ellis
2012 – 14	John Peryer
2014 – 16	Geoff Botherway
2016 – 18	Gary Wybrow
2018 – 19	Nick Evans
2020 – 22	Geoff Botherway
2022 - 24	Jordan Goss
2024 -	Jodie Hope

Honorary Members

David Cathcart
Ian Christison
Fiona Gillespie
Robyn Grooby
Mike Marfell-Jones
Bernie Richmond
Geoff Shapland