This news post was published by the former standard-setting body for the community, health, education and social services sectors, Toitū te Waiora Workforce Development Council, prior to 1 January 2026.

 

Toitū te Waiora has successfully completed its review of the funeral directing and embalming qualifications, which have received approval and publication from NZQA. While the qualifications were generally considered fit-for-purpose by the sector, some minor adjustments have been made to enhance the content. The revised qualifications are as follows: 

• New Zealand Diploma in Funeral Directing Level 5 [Ref: 1942] 

• New Zealand Diploma in Embalming Level 5 [Ref: 1943] 

The changes 

Small changes were made to strengthen both qualifications, these changes included: 

• Evidence requirements for assuring consistency updated  

• General conditions were updated to include mātauranga Māori, multiculturism, and Tāngata Whaikaha 

• Wording updated to be more current