diff --git a/src/openflexure_microscope_server/things/stage/__init__.py b/src/openflexure_microscope_server/things/stage/__init__.py
index 11c22097..f70eabfe 100644
--- a/src/openflexure_microscope_server/things/stage/__init__.py
+++ b/src/openflexure_microscope_server/things/stage/__init__.py
@@ -166,8 +166,14 @@ class BaseStage(lt.Thing):
     )
     """Used to convert coordinates between the program frame and the hardware frame."""
 
-    calibration_required: bool = lt.setting(default=False)
-    """Whether calibration of the stage z axis is required."""
+    @lt.property
+    def calibration_required(self) -> bool:
+        """Whether the stage requires calibration.
+
+        Currently the only calibration method for the stage is the z-gear rotation
+        direction in the sangaboard stage.
+        """
+        return False
 
     def update_position(self) -> None:
         """Update the position property from the stage."""
@@ -538,8 +544,3 @@ class BaseStage(lt.Thing):
         This method provides the interface expected by the camera_stage_mapping.
         """
         self.move_absolute(x=xyz_pos[0], y=xyz_pos[1], z=xyz_pos[2])
-
-    @lt.action
-    def mark_calibration_complete(self) -> None:
-        """Mark stage calibration as complete."""
-        self.calibration_required = False
diff --git a/src/openflexure_microscope_server/things/stage/sangaboard.py b/src/openflexure_microscope_server/things/stage/sangaboard.py
index ed34b41d..7ab3103f 100644
--- a/src/openflexure_microscope_server/things/stage/sangaboard.py
+++ b/src/openflexure_microscope_server/things/stage/sangaboard.py
@@ -80,6 +80,37 @@ class SangaboardThing(BaseStage):
     )
     """Used to convert coordinates between the program frame and the hardware frame."""
 
+    z_axis_calibrated: bool = lt.setting(default=False, readonly=True)
+
+    @lt.property
+    def calibration_required(self) -> bool:
+        """Whether the stage requires calibration.
+
+        Return False only if z-direction has been calibrated.
+        """
+        return not self.z_axis_calibrated
+
+    @lt.action
+    def calibrate_z_direction(
+        self, positive_motion: Literal["clockwise", "anti-clockwise"]
+    ) -> None:
+        """Calibrate the z motor direction based on the gear rotation direction.
+
+        Positive z motion should turn the exposed gear anti-clockwise. Calling this
+        action marks the z motor as calibrated.
+
+        :param positive_motion: The direction the gear moved during pisitive z motion.
+        """
+        if positive_motion == "clockwise":
+            # Wrong direction, mark as such.
+            self.invert_axis_direction(axis="z")
+        elif positive_motion != "anti-clockwise":
+            raise ValueError(
+                "Motion should be reported as either 'clockwise' or 'anti-clockwise'."
+            )
+        # Set z_axis_calibrated to true once this function is called.
+        self.z_axis_calibrated = True
+
     def _hardware_update_position(self) -> None:
         """Read position from the stage and set internal attribute _hardware_position.
 
@@ -236,6 +267,3 @@ class SangaboardThing(BaseStage):
                 self._sangaboard.query(f"{led_command} {on_brightness}")
             else:
                 self._sangaboard.query(f"{led_command} 0")
-
-    calibration_required: bool = lt.setting(default=True)
-    """By default, Sangaboard stage will require calibration of z direction."""
diff --git a/webapp/src/components/modalComponents/calibrationWizardComponents/zMotorDirectionStep.vue b/webapp/src/components/modalComponents/calibrationWizardComponents/zMotorDirectionStep.vue
index 23d73660..b0d97e4f 100644
--- a/webapp/src/components/modalComponents/calibrationWizardComponents/zMotorDirectionStep.vue
+++ b/webapp/src/components/modalComponents/calibrationWizardComponents/zMotorDirectionStep.vue
@@ -21,13 +21,13 @@
           src="/direction_AC.png"
           alt="Anti-clockwise"
           class="dir-image clickable"
-          @click="selectDir"
+          @click="reportDirection('anti-clockwise')"
         />
 
         <button
           class="uk-button uk-button-default uk-width-1-1 uk-button-primary"
           type="button"
-          @click="selectDir"
+          @click="reportDirection('anti-clockwise')"
         >
           Anti-clockwise
         </button>
@@ -39,13 +39,13 @@
           src="/direction_CW.png"
           alt="Clockwise"
           class="dir-image clickable"
-          @click="triggerClockwise"
+          @click="reportDirection('clockwise')"
         />
 
         <button
           class="uk-button uk-button-default uk-width-1-1 uk-button-primary"
           type="button"
-          @click="triggerClockwise"
+          @click="reportDirection('clockwise')"
         >
           Clockwise
         </button>
@@ -68,7 +68,7 @@ export default {
     };
   },
 
-  mounted() {
+  async mounted() {
     this.checkCalibrationState();
   },
 
@@ -92,20 +92,25 @@ export default {
       }
       this.invokeAction("stage", "jog", { stop: true });
     },
-    // Once a direction is selected, advance
-    selectDir() {
-      this.invokeAction("stage", "mark_calibration_complete").then(() => {
-        this.$emit("advance");
-      });
-    },
-    // If motor moves clockwise, invert z direction, then progress to next step
-    triggerClockwise() {
-      this.invokeAction("stage", "invert_axis_direction", { axis: "z" }).then(() => {
-        this.selectDir();
-      });
+    /**
+     * Report the direction to the microscope then advance to next pane in wizard.
+     */
+    async reportDirection(direction) {
+      await this.invokeAction("stage", "calibrate_z_direction", { positive_motion: direction });
+      this.$emit("advance");
     },
     async checkCalibrationState() {
-      const needsCal = await this.readThingProperty("stage", "calibration_required");
+      let needsCal = await this.readThingProperty("stage", "calibration_required");
+      if (needsCal) {
+        // If it needs calibration check the relevant calibration action exists.
+        const actions = this.thingDescription("stage").actions;
+        if (!("calibrate_z_direction" in actions)) {
+          console.error(
+            "Stage is requesting calibration but has no 'calibrate_z_direction' action",
+          );
+          needsCal = false;
+        }
+      }
       this.$emit("awaiting-user", needsCal);
     },
   },
diff --git a/webapp/src/tests/unit/overrides.js b/webapp/src/tests/unit/overrides.js
index 53797e78..90ebdcaa 100644
--- a/webapp/src/tests/unit/overrides.js
+++ b/webapp/src/tests/unit/overrides.js
@@ -133,4 +133,17 @@ export const componentOverrides = {
   "cameraCalibrationSettings.vue": {
     props: { cameraUri: "" },
   },
+  "zMotorDirectionStep.vue": {
+    mocks: {
+      thingDescription: () => ({
+        properties: {
+          test_property_1: {},
+          test_property_2: {},
+        },
+        actions: {
+          calibrate_z_direction: {},
+        },
+      }),
+    },
+  },
 };