Takurua Vets operates in accordance with New Zealand regulatory requirements for veterinary practice, diagnostic imaging and specialised treatment services. This page lists the formal certifications held by our clinic.
Takurua Vets is a registered New Zealand veterinary practice.
Our veterinarians are registered with the New Zealand Veterinary Council and practise in accordance with its professional standards.
Registration details can be verified on the official New Zealand Veterinary Council register.
All permanent veterinarians at Takurua Vets are members of the New Zealand Veterinary Association.
At Takurua Vets, veterinary nurses work in accordance with NZVA-aligned standards and guidelines for continued education.
Membership information is maintained by the New Zealand Veterinary Association in accordance with its professional membership requirements.
We’re currently working toward Fear Free clinic-wide accreditation. Fear Free is an internationally recognised approach to veterinary care that focuses on reducing fear, anxiety, and stress for pets - using gentle handling, thoughtful appointment pacing, and small changes to the clinic environment to help visits feel safer and calmer. As part of that process, our first team members have already achieved Fear Free certification - a key step as we roll out Fear Free handling, low-stress visits, and calmer patient experiences across the whole clinic.
Takurua Vets is accredited as a Zero Pain Practice through Zero Pain Philosophy, with accreditation valid until May 2028.
Pain management and prevention are an important part of veterinary care at Takurua Vets in Christchurch. Animals often hide signs of pain, so our team works to recognise discomfort early and keep pets as comfortable as possible before, during and after treatment.
Our approach includes modern pain scoring, multimodal pain relief, and local or regional nerve blocks where appropriate. These techniques help support safer procedures, smoother recoveries, and kinder veterinary care.
As a Zero Pain Practice, our vets and nurses apply these principles across the clinic so your pet’s comfort is never an afterthought.
Takurua Vets is now listed as a PennHIP hospital, and Dr Ebeneze Spamers is PennHIP certified. PennHIP is an internationally recognised screening method that uses a specific set of hip radiographs to assess hip joint laxity in dogs. Because increased laxity is associated with a higher risk of hip dysplasia, PennHIP can help breeders and owners make more informed decisions about breeding suitability and long-term joint health.
Takurua Vets holds the required radiation safety certifications to operate diagnostic imaging equipment and radioactive iodine (I-131) treatment facilities in accordance with New Zealand regulatory standards.
Takurua Vets is MPI certified for the sale and handling of prescription veterinary medicines via postal services.
Takurua Vets is listed by Immigration New Zealand as an accredited employer. This means our clinic has been approved to hire eligible overseas workers under the Accredited Employer Work Visa framework and has met Immigration New Zealand’s requirements for accredited employers.
If you are looking for a clinic with strong clinical standards, clear systems, and a serious approach to patient care, our team is here to help.
Learn more about Takurua Vets, our team, and the wider values that shape how we work.
Learn more about the standards we apply to public-facing veterinary information and published content.
Learn more about the communication, judgment, calm handling, and clinical standards that matter in everyday veterinary care.
Learn more about the kind of clinic culture and independent standards we are building at Takurua Vets.
