<h2 id="660e4e4a-bd9d-4bd6-9e9f-231583abfd98" data-toc-id="660e4e4a-bd9d-4bd6-9e9f-231583abfd98" style="font-size: 24px; line-height: 1.2;">What is the NZSS Year Program?</h2>The NZSS Year Program is New Zealand's first structured, assessed and certified stunt training program. Delivered by working New Zealand stunt industry professionals, it provides a clear three-year progression pathway for serious stunt performers — from foundational skills through to advanced and specialist training.Unlike individual workshops, the year program gives you:<ul><li>Structured training across all core stunt disciplines each year</li><li>Ongoing assessment and instructor feedback throughout</li><li>NZSS completion and competency certificates at every stage</li><li>A documented training record that reflects your genuine progression</li><li>Free unlimited monthly training and open stunt gym sessions</li><li><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.nzstuntschool.com/nz-action-talent-agency">NZAT agency</a> registration included </li></ul>Each year builds directly on the last. By the time you complete Year 3, you have three years of documented, assessed, certified stunt training — delivered by the same team that works on New Zealand film and television productions.<h2 id="c132969c-9fe4-4b7a-99b0-e5e7e828d5ce" data-toc-id="c132969c-9fe4-4b7a-99b0-e5e7e828d5ce" style="font-size: 24px; line-height: 1.2;">Three years. Three levels. One clear pathway.</h2>Year 1 — NZSS Certified Foundation Your first year covers all foundational stunt disciplines — wires, water, car hits, intro to fire safety and partial burn, air ram, high falls, acting for camera, and 12 hours of horse lessons. You train alongside your cohort, with monthly scenario-based training and open gym sessions included.Year 2 — NZSS Certified Intermediate Year 2 builds on your foundation with higher-level workshops across every discipline — wires Level 2, water Level 2 open water, full fire burn, tactical Level 1, high falls continuation and assessment, and more. You arrive with a solid base and use Year 2 to develop real depth and consistency across all areas.Year 3 — NZSS Certified Advanced Year 3 moves into specialist and operator-level training — linesman and rigging, air ram operator, fire safety assistant, high falls Level 2, tactical Level 2, stunt horse, camera angles, and FFC instructor assistant training. You graduate with an advanced certification and a coordinator reference letter from Dayna Pomare.<h2 id="916e5b32-3c25-4dc3-91a0-abc68f3186b9" data-toc-id="916e5b32-3c25-4dc3-91a0-abc68f3186b9" style="font-size: 24px; line-height: 1.2;">Who delivers the NZSS Program?</h2>Every session at NZSS is delivered by working New Zealand screen industry professionals. Lead instructor and founder Dayna Pomare is an active stunt coordinator and horse master with experience across New Zealand and international productions. When you train with NZSS, you are learning from people who do this work for a living — not former performers who now teach only.This matters because the training reflects what actually happens on set — not a theoretical version of it.<h2 id="9a3a9668-19dc-4ce7-999f-93028f79d279" data-toc-id="9a3a9668-19dc-4ce7-999f-93028f79d279" style="font-size: 24px; line-height: 1.2;">NZSS Assessment and certification — what it actually means</h2>Assessment at NZSS is ongoing — not a single exam at the end of the year. Instructors observe and assess performance throughout every session and workshop. When a student demonstrates genuine competency in a discipline, their instructor signs off that competency. The certificate follows.Two types of certificates are issued:NZSS Certificate of Completion — issued for attending and completing a workshop or training session. This is your attendance and participation record.NZSS Certificate of Competency — issued when an instructor assesses you as performing to the required standard in a specific discipline. This is earned, not given.At the end of each year, students who have completed all required disciplines receive their year certificate — NZSS Certified Foundation, Intermediate, or Advanced.These certificates are not participation trophies. They represent genuine assessed training delivered by qualified industry professionals.<h2 id="b42ae448-7ac3-474e-99c1-d2eb077ac6bd" data-toc-id="b42ae448-7ac3-474e-99c1-d2eb077ac6bd" style="font-size: 24px; line-height: 1.2;">Set work opportunities</h2>Year program students who are assessed as competent and safe are considered for on-set work experience opportunities. This is not a guarantee — it depends entirely on your level, your attitude, and what productions are running. But it is a real pathway that casual students do not have access to.The opportunity to work alongside a professional stunt team on a real New Zealand production — even in a supporting capacity — is worth more than any number of workshops on its own.<h2 id="e588e81b-d305-4dea-b117-dd536ab3ccc8" data-toc-id="e588e81b-d305-4dea-b117-dd536ab3ccc8" style="font-size: 24px; line-height: 1.2;">Creative NZ grant support</h2>All year program students receive support to apply for the<a target="_blank" href="https://creativenz.govt.nz/"> Creative NZ Development Fund</a> — a grant of up to $5,000 per year available to New Zealand artists and practitioners for professional development activities.NZSS provides a reference letter from Dayna Pomare, program documentation. Students apply themselves — NZSS supports the process. Approximately one in three applications is successful.If funded, the grant can cover your full year program fee plus complementary training disciplines.<h2 id="c8de767d-3fda-447c-8001-633e8c2add7f" data-toc-id="c8de767d-3fda-447c-8001-633e8c2add7f" style="font-size: 24px; line-height: 1.2;">Who is the year program for?</h2>The year program is for people who are serious about stunt performance as a genuine pursuit — whether that means working in the industry professionally, developing as a screen performer, or simply committing to the highest standard of training available in New Zealand.It is not for everyone. It requires consistency, commitment, and the willingness to be assessed honestly against a real standard.If you want to book a workshop occasionally and train at your own pace — our pay-as-you-go option is available for exactly that. The year program is for those who want more.<h2 id="defd4c66-3e90-4721-8011-f1a82e6e8dc3" data-toc-id="defd4c66-3e90-4721-8011-f1a82e6e8dc3" style="font-size: 24px; line-height: 1.2;">How to get started</h2>Every student — year program or pay-as-you-go — begins with Fight for Camera (FFC). FFC is NZSS's entry-level course covering stunt fundamentals, movement, safety and camera performance. It is the mandatory first step for all training pathways.After completing FFC, you can register your interest in the year program. The first cohort launches February 2027. Enrolments open July 2026.👉 <a target="_blank" href="https://www.nzstuntschool.com/nzss-training-pathway">Book your FFC session </a><a target="_blank" href="mailto:nzstuntschool@outlook.com">👉 Register your interest in the Year Program</a><h3 id="10adb8f0-bbd2-4caa-925a-63e0f741c839" data-toc-id="10adb8f0-bbd2-4caa-925a-63e0f741c839" style="font-size: 20px; line-height: 1.2;">Frequently asked questions</h3>Do I need experience to join the year program? No prior stunt experience is required — just FFC completion. Year 1 is designed for students at the beginning of their structured training journey. If you have existing training history, we may be able to place you directly into Year 2 or Year 3 — contact us to discuss.Can I join mid-year? The year program runs as a cohort starting in February. New students join at the start of each annual intake. If you miss the February start, register your interest for the following year or continue building your skills through our pay-as-you-go workshops in the meantime.What if I have trained at another school? Prior experience from other schools is respected and acknowledged. NZSS can only issue certificates for training delivered under NZSS instruction, but your existing background will be taken into account when discussing placement options. Contact us to have a conversation about where you sit and get your level assessed.Is the year program available outside Auckland? The year program requires in-person attendance in Auckland. Pay-as-you-go workshops are available to students from outside Auckland whenever they are in the city.👉 <a target="_blank" href="https://www.nzstuntschool.com/nzss-training-pathway">View the full Year Program details </a>👉<a target="_blank" href="https://www.nzstuntschool.com/nzss-training-pathway"> Book your FFC — the first step for all pathways</a>

NZSS offering first structured, assessed and certified stunt training program. Three years of stunt training in NZ. Foundation, Intermediate and Advanced sunt training certification.

Structured Stunt Training in New Zealand — Introducing the NZSS Year Program

Three years. Three levels. One clear pathway.

NZSS Assessment and certification — what it actually means

Explore stunt training tips, behind-the-scenes insights, and advice for aspiring stunt performers | NZ Stunt School

Structured Stunt Training in New Zealand — Introducing the NZSS Year Program

Structured Stunt Training in New Zealand — Introducing the NZSS Year Program

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