2025 Programme
Thursday 22 May, 2025
| Timing | Activity |
|---|---|
| 8am - 8.45am | Sign in / register at Whangārei Theatre Company, 71 Reyburn House Lane, Whangārei |
| Morning | Mihi whakatau, welcome, manaakitanga |
| Setting the scene The what, why, who and how of compassionate communities here in Aotearoa and overseas. |
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| Death is different for us all: Expected death, loss, caring and grieving - The palliative care landscape in New Zealand, including the role of hospices - Personal insights into the challenges of ‘long death’ (such as Dementia, Alzheimer's) and helping us to all understand how we can better support one another. |
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| Lunch | Connecting over kai |
| Afternoon | Death is different for us all: Unexpected death, loss, caring and grieving - Personal insights into unexpected deaths, such as suicide, stillbirth and fatal accidents and helping us to all understand how we can better support one another. |
| Connecting through experience: Hands-on field trips and workshops (choose one) - A Natural Burial Perspective with Hundertwasser Art Centre Tour - Self-healing techniques to support resilience for those in compassionate roles with Kiri Neumann - Visit to new generation funeral directors, A Graceful Undertaking - what could the future of funeral directing in Aotearoa look like, and how can that enhance community? (Own transport required. We will support car pooling at the event) |
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| 6.30pm | Dinner & opportunity to network (optional) |
Book Your Thursday Night Dinner
Come along to No.8 restaurant at Whangārei Town Basin for an Asian fusion banquet dinner while networking with your fellow event attendees. Book your spot on Eventfinda once you have added your hui ticket to the shopping cart.
Friday 23 May, 2025
| Timing | Activity |
|---|---|
| 7am - 8am | Yoga/stretch class (optional) |
| 8.45am | Welcome |
| Morning | A village approach to care Exploring what some of our existing ‘villages of support’ look like - schools, workplaces, marae, small communities. What can we learn? How can we do better? How can we develop models and actions to strengthen community? |
| Building your village How to start building a ‘village of support’ for yourself and others… as you age, planning towards end of life, planning your death and farewell, and supporting your loved ones after you have gone. |
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| ‘Create a local village’ workshop Hands-on group workshops to map out villages of support for ourselves - personally and professionally - and the communities we live and work within. |
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| Lunch | Choose a local cafe to enjoy lunch. |
| Afternoon | ‘Create a national village’ workshop Be part of helping to create Compassionate Communities Aotearoa as we build a national village of support. During this collaborative workshop, you will have the opportunity to contribute your ideas and experience to develop a framework for compassionate communities, including planning, resource development, funding and connecting with international partners. Bring your knowledge, your wisdom, your learnings and your passion to create better end-of-life care outcomes for our communities. |
| Official close |
Saturday 24 May, 2025
Community Workshops
Opportunity to join the following meaningful hands-on workshops to deepen your understanding. For more information on workshops, facilitators and booking instructions, please go our Saturday workshops page…
- Wrapped with Aroha: Experience the ritual and the practicalities of using funeral shrouds with Ake Ake Shrouds
- Write Your Memoir: Sit down with John from Legacy Lab, and learn how to craft your memories into stories.
- DIY Funeral Workshop: Dignified funerals can be affordable for everyone. Join Gaylene and Sherie to learn how to take the lead in planning your own farewell.
- Self-Healing Workshop: Building resilience for both givers and receivers in compassionate roles with Kiri Neumann.
- A Natural Burial Perspective at Hundertwasser Art Centre: Follow Hundertwasser’s journey for a natural burial
- Weaving Wahakura for Babies Who Are Born Sleeping: Join in a harakeke weaving workshop with AllFlax.
He Hui Ahurea: Cultural Perspectives & Conversations on Death and Dying
Date: Saturday 24th May 2025
Time: 9:00am – 4:00pm
Venue: Hihiaua Cultural Centre, Whangārei
Cost: FREE, Open to the public
As part of the Compassionate Communities Hui – Building a Village of Support, this day-long community event invites people from all walks of life to explore the rich cultural perspectives that shape how we care for each other, particularly around death, dying, grief, and loss.
Other events…
- Information Evening on Death and Dying – Tuesday 20th May, 5:30 – 7:30pm at Hundertwasser Arts Centre. Find out more…
- Whangārei Death Cafe – Saturday 24th May, 10am – 12noon at Hundertwasser Arts Centre. If you’ve never been to a Death Cafe, this is a great opportunity to attend and see what it’s all about. Find out more…