Member Benefits

New Zealand Veterinary Nursing Association (NZVNA) members have access to a range of benefits that support both their professional lives and personal wellbeing. It is our goal that Veterinary Nurses and technologists are supported in their mahi, so they can provide the very best care to their patients.

Member Benefits include:

  • Wellbeing and professional support
  • Continuing Professional Development (CPD)
  • News and views
  • Advocacy
  • Mentorship
  • Dedicated special interest social media pages
  • Clinical resources
  • Discounts for workshops, webinars and our annual conference
  • Annual awards and celebrations
  • Scholarships - the Royal Canin Education, Kathy Waugh Leadership, and the Julie Hutt Student scholarships.

Congratulations to our 2026 scholarship winners.

Royal Canin Education Scholarship : Aleysha Corbishley

Kathy Waugh Leadership Scholarship: Marcus Flintoff

Julie Hutt Student Scholarship: Jessica Worsfold

Wellbeing Support

Veterinary Nursing is both a rewarding and demanding career. We offer a range of resources to ensure members have access to support when they need it.

These include disability support; employment support; mental health resources; online Facebook support groups; Telus Health EAP support and wellbeing resources, plus Kora fuel cards and Perks Cards. You can explore our Member Discount page in the Resources section for additional information on how to access these benefits.

Employment Support

The NZVNA is committed to supporting Veterinary Nurses and technicians not only in their professional development, but also in creating safe, healthy, and positive workplaces. Working in the veterinary industry can be rewarding, but it can also present unique challenges — from physically demanding environments to complex workplace situations. The NZVNA is here to help members navigate these challenges with confidence.

 

Health and Safety Support

The wellbeing and safety of veterinary professionals is a priority for NZVNA. We provide members with access to practical health and safety resources designed specifically for veterinary workplaces. This includes guidance about workplace risks, mental wellbeing, fatigue management, bullying and harassment awareness, and creating safer clinical environments.

NZVNA also recognises the emotional demands of the profession and actively promotes wellbeing initiatives and support services that encourage healthy, sustainable careers within the industry.

Human Resources Support

The NZVNA supports members by providing information and guidance relating to employment and workplace matters. This includes assistance with employment matters, understanding your contracts or general support that help members better understand their rights and responsibilities in the workplace. Whether members are navigating workplace communication, professional conduct, career progression, or employment concerns, the NZVNA aims to provide practical support and direction. Our goal is to help veterinary professionals feel informed, supported, and empowered throughout their careers. Through advocacy, education, and member support, the NZVNA continues to work toward stronger, healthier, and more sustainable veterinary workplaces across Aotearoa New Zealand.

For more information on these topics, head over to to the Resources section and choose the topic you're keen to learn more about from the drop down boxes.

Continuing Professional Development (CPD) and Continuing Education

Continuing Professional Development (CPD) and Continuing Education (CE) play an important role in supporting veterinary nursing professionals to grow their knowledge, develop their skills and stay up to date with changes in the profession.

NZVNA supports ongoing professional development by promoting a range of CPD and CE opportunities available throughout the year.

Visit our CPD & Events page to explore upcoming opportunities and access your CPD record. If you have any questions about about CPD, please contact us at cpd@nzvna.org.nz

You can also explore our Resources page for additional information and useful resources.

News and Views

The Vet Nurse Lens (previously known as the New Zealand Veterinary Nurse Journal) is produced exclusively for Veterinary Nurses and Allied Veterinary Professionals.

This high-quality, quarterly publication shares clinical articles and case studies; up-to-date product information; industry, ethical and legal guidance; and much more.

We also distribute a regular e-newsletter with topical articles and information from the industry.

Social Media

The NZVNA has a large social media presence on Facebook and Instagram with five support groups available to members. We encourage you to join these pages and get to know more of your colleagues across the motu.

Advocacy

The NZVNA is the voice of the Veterinary Nursing community in Aotearoa New Zealand. We are committed to working with members to make positive changes for all Allied Veterinary Professionals.

Improving remuneration is an important area of our advocacy mahi, and we were proud to recently create NZVNA wage guidelines for our HR toolbox.

The NZVNA executive committee sits on a wide range of national and international boards, trusts, committees, and working groups to advocate for our members.

In 2022, we were also the first Veterinary Nursing and technician association to become affiliated with the World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA).

We have created and sourced a wide range of clinical resources for our members. Click HERE for information on anaesthesia; animal welfare; infection control; the human-animal bond; the team approach; VetCheck; and more.

Vet Nurse Appreciation Week

Every October, NZVNA proudly celebrates Vet Nurse Appreciation Week – a special opportunity to recognise the amazing veterinary nurses who make such a difference to the lives of animals, their owners and the wider veterinary profession.

This year, we celebrated from 5–9 October 2026, with a week full of appreciation, recognition and a few surprises along the way!

One of the highlights was the announcement of our 2026 Vet Nurse of the Year Award, celebrating an exceptional veterinary nurse who has gone above and beyond in their contribution to animal health, wellbeing and the profession.

Throughout the week, we also spread a little extra appreciation with:

  • A fun photo competition showcasing our wonderful veterinary nurses.
  • Care packages for NZVNA members facing personal or professional challenges, nominated by their colleagues and peers, with a little thank-you for those who took the time to nominate someone.
  • Clinic giveaways and surprises to bring a little extra joy to the working week.
  • Membership recognition certificates and badges.

A huge thank you to our members, their colleagues and the veterinary clinics who helped make the week such a success. Your enthusiasm, kindness and support are what make our veterinary nursing community so special.

Annual Awards

The highlight of our year is celebrating the work of our members…with our members!

The annual NZVNA Awards Night, held during our national conference, is a highlight of the year and a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the achievements, dedication and passion of veterinary nurses across Aotearoa New Zealand. Companies are invited to sponsor this special event and join us in recognising the people who make an outstanding contribution to the veterinary nursing profession. Details of the sponsorship categories can be found HERE.

The celebrations continue during Vet Nurse Appreciation Week each October, when we announce the winner of the highly anticipated NZVNA and Hill’s NZ Ltd Vet Nurse of the Year Award, recognising an outstanding veterinary nurse who has made a significant contribution to the profession. This year, the winner of this prestigious award this year is Lauren Prior, with two runners up; Natalie Miller and Rebecca Dixon.

Alongside our industry partners, we are proud to offer the following annual awards to our members:

  • Vet Nurse of the Year Award - Sponsored by Hills Pet Nutrition NZ
  • Angela Payne Award - Sponsored by Honorary Member, Angela Payne
  • Clinical Excellence Award - Sponsored by Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health
  • Workplace Wellbeing Champion Award - NZVNA are currently seeking a sponsor for this award.