NZ Pet Grooming Academy is a pet grooming training school based in Greytown, Wairarapa, offering professional certificate courses for anyone wanting to build a career in pet grooming. The academy combines hands-on training with classroom learning, taught by tutors who are experienced groomers bringing real-world industry insight into the classroom.
Classes are kept small so students get individual attention and plenty of hands-on practice, and training takes place in a fully-equipped grooming facility designed to mirror a professional grooming salon. The academy also offers flexible learning options, including part-time and weekend courses, and places a strong emphasis on compassion, patience and care when working with animals, not just technical grooming skill.
Support doesn't stop at the end of a course - graduates receive eight weeks of supervised support after finishing, at no extra cost, recognising that a few days of training can't cover everything a new groomer needs to know. Alongside its certificate courses, the academy also runs a half-day "Learn to Groom Your Own Dog" session for pet owners wanting to pick up grooming skills specific to their own dog.
NZ Pet Grooming Academy is a pet grooming training school based in Greytown, in the Wairarapa, built for anyone serious about starting a career in pet grooming. Rather than a quick crash course, the academy positions itself as shaping the next generation of grooming professionals through comprehensive, hands-on training.
The academy's tutors aren't generalist teachers - they're experienced groomers with years of industry expertise, bringing real-world insight and current grooming techniques directly into the classroom. Training takes place in a fully-equipped grooming facility designed to mirror a professional salon environment, so students are already familiar with the tools and setup they'll encounter in their first job.
Class sizes are kept deliberately small, giving students more hands-on practice time, more personalised feedback, and the chance to build genuine relationships with instructors and classmates. For students juggling other commitments, the academy also offers flexible learning options, including part-time courses and weekend classes.
Beyond technical skill, the academy places real emphasis on compassion, patience and care - the belief that a great groomer doesn't just make pets look good, but also knows how to make them feel safe and comfortable throughout the process. That approach runs through the whole curriculum, not just as an add-on lesson.
One standout feature of the academy is its post-course support: graduates receive eight weeks of supervised support after finishing their course, at no additional cost. The academy is upfront that a few days of training can't cover everything a new groomer needs to know, and this ongoing support is designed to bridge that gap as new groomers start working in the real world.
Alongside its certificate courses, the academy also runs a "Learn to Groom Your Own Dog" session - a half-day, one-on-one class with senior groomer and tutor Meg. It's built specifically around your own dog's behaviour and temperament, covering washing, drying, nail clipping, ear cleaning, paw pads, product advice, and building confidence in handling your dog. It's aimed at pet owners who want to save on ongoing grooming costs by learning the basics themselves, rather than training for a career.
The next scheduled Beginners Course runs from 2-4 October 2026. The academy asks for two weeks' notice if you need to cancel a course booking to receive a refund, with a cancellation fee of 20% of the refundable balance applying otherwise.
NZ Pet Grooming Academy is located in Greytown, Wairarapa, and can be reached on 0275-458068 or by email at [email protected].