## Significant Moments - from "womb to tomb" by Anke Buhrfeindt
After a colourful life of more than 30 years across Asia, I settled in NZ (on the
Coromandel) in 2007. I started a new career as a marriage celebrant in 2008 with a
membership of CelebrantsAotearoa (CANZ) and a Celebrant Studies Certificate
(AUT). After close to 400 weddings on the Coromandel, I moved to Dunedin in 2022
to be closer to family and because I love this funky little town at the bottom of the
world! I craft ceremonies for all levels of requirements from simple to elaborate and
stylish, and my tiered prices reflect that. I enjoy serving overseas eloping as much as
local and same sex couples, but I no longer offer registry weddings.
Who am I? Having left my home country Germany as a member of the Foreign
Service, I found my true vocational calling after the birth of my 2 children, and
became a certified childbirth educator and labour support professional. I worked and
grew with and through the ideologies of the natural childbirth movement. After being
a change agent for birth practices in Singapore, Japan and China, I also facilitated
antenatal groups for Parents Centres NZ until 2014.
My heart and soul centre around family, women, children and life itself… its
tribulations, trivia, challenges, blessings… I see my life and work experiences among
different cultures and people, my challenges as a birth practice activist, teacher and
student, and skills attained as a mother, grandmother, divorcee and business
innovator, coming together in my work as celebrant. Not religious, but spiritual, I
consider myself a student of life and humankind – on a course with no graduation…
with lots of wonderful co-students.
I bring heart, warmth, vibrance, humour and spirit to the creation of, and charisma
and inner presence to the delivery of life’s Significant Moments…