Upcoming Events
We have some important events coming up, including as part of national Dying Matters Week from
7 - 13 September 2026. From a talk on assisted dying to our monthly Dying to Know hui, a one-woman show exploring tangihanga, and a full-day expo on planning ahead, there's something for anyone wanting to learn, reflect or simply kōrero about death and dying. All welcome.
Registration is not required for most events - just turn up. For queries:
021 415 441 / funeralguidescollective@gmail.com
Dying to Know: Monthly Group-Led Hui
Saturday 5th September,
12.00 - 2.00pm
Whakatāne Library,
49 Kakāhoraa Drive, Whakatāne
He wāhi haumaru, he kōrero ngākau – a safe place, heartfelt conversation. Death is something we all share, yet rarely talk about. Dying to Know is a warm, welcoming monthly community hui where everyone's voice is valued and no question is too big or too small. It's not a counselling session, just honest, open kōrero over a cup of tea. Held on the first Saturday of every month.
Tangihanga: An award-winning, one-woman Show
Friday 11th September,
11.30am & 6.00pm
Liberty Centre, 65 Wairaka Road, Whakatāne
Tangihanga is a drama comedy performed by award-winning Māori writer and performer Kristyl Neho, who masterfully embodies over 30 characters in a powerful, emotionally rich exploration of whānau, grief, cultural identity and the tangi tradition. A one-woman show brought to you by Ngā Pou Herenga and Wahanui Productions, supported by Hospice Eastern Bay of Plenty and the Whakatāne-Ōhope Community Board. Tickets available at iticket.co.nz
Dying Matters Expo: Shaping Your Legacy
Saturday 12th September,
10.00am – 3.00pm
Eastbay REAP, 21 Pyne Street, Whakatāne
Held as part of national Dying Matters Week, this Expo brings together mātauranga, whānau and aroha in one space, a chance to kōrero openly about death, something we so rarely do. This year's theme, Shaping Your Legacy, invites us to reflect on what legacy means to each of us, and what we can do
now to honour our wishes. Ka nui te mihi, we welcome you to join this warm, informative day for the whole community.
On offer:
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Wills & estate management
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Advance care planning
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How Funeral Guides can support you
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Natural burials
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Hospice and other community organisations
Past Hui and News
August 2026: We supported Michael Nestmann, Manager for Assisted Dying Services at Te Whatu Ora/Health NZ, to share his knowledge with a room of over 60 people on Assisted Dying. Michael gave a practical and respectful overview of the End of Life Choice Act 2019, what it means for health professionals, and how to support patients and whānau with confidence and care.
February 2025: As an alternative for whānau not wanting to use embalming, we support whānau to prepare their loved one at home, keeping the tūpāpaku cool with equipment we have for hire, including Dutch cooling pads and portable freezers with techni-ice packs.
September 2024: Sharday Cable-Ranapia supported many whānau in her pou herenga role, with strong positive feedback. Behind the scenes we developed our own co-governance charitable trust, Ngā Pou Herenga: the Funeral Guides' Collective, and began bringing new people onboard to grow our social enterprise.
August 2023: A TV3 Hui programme featured Whakatāne-based Pou Herenga Sharday Cable-Ranapia and Ruth Gerzon discussing the Collective's mahi. Watch it here: Doing Death Differently. Coroner Hesketh also sent us copies of the booklet on Coronial Services, let us know if you'd like some.
25–26 November 2023: Honouring Traditions: our first funeral guide/pou herenga training workshop, facilitated by Claire Turnham, Sharday Cable and Jo Tahuri, covering traditional whānau death care practices, body preparation, karakia and waiata, and the role of the pou herenga. Claire Turnham's website
2023
2023: Ka mate kōrero – Dying2Know seminar series:
Through 2023 we ran a fortnightly Sunday afternoon seminar series at the Disabilities Resource Centre, Whakatāne (and by Zoom), covering advance care planning and power of attorney, Māori and Pākehā histories of death and dying, supporting people at the end of life, living with bereavement, assisted dying, new options for after-death care, and the role of the coroner. Highlights included:
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14 April – Kay Ryan, psychotherapist and co-author of Doorways into Dying, on supporting people at the end of life. Read her article and handout
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28 May – Loss, Grief and Finding Your Way Home with counsellors Anihera Tahu-Hepworth (Tūhoe, Ngāti Porou) and Ron Hepworth, on everyday ways to claim ownership of the grief and loss process. Read the interview. Recommended resources: NZ Grief Centre, TED talks on grief, and Jenni Thomas on child bereavement (podcast 1 / podcast 2)
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11 June – The End of Life Choice Act with Helen O'Shaughnessy of the End-of-Life Choice Society, an update on the Act plus Q&A. End of Life Choice Society website, Ruth Gerzon's article
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25 June – New options for after-death care: changing rituals, a panel including a celebrant and funeral director on how after-death care and the influence of tangihanga on Pākehā funerals have changed
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5 November – Annie Meredith, doula from Gisborne/Tairāwhiti, on supporting whānau after the death of a stillborn or young baby, and her work with Manaaki Mats. Read the article
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19 November – Advance Care Planning, a follow-up hui to help attendees finish and lodge their plans