Regional Champions

We are so fortunate to have a community of experts across the country, passionate about promoting death literacy and supporting people to begin what, for many, can be very challenging conversations.

Dying Matters Week 2024 would not have been possible without the hard work and dedication of end-of-life-doulas, Death Cafe facilitators, Hospice staff, Honohono Tātou Katoa and others around Aotearoa.

End of Life Doulas

We partnered with the End-of-Life Doulas Alliance Aotearoa to bring Dying Matters Week 2024 to life. Many of the wonderful women who organised and spoke at events in regions around New Zealand were end-of-life doulas. An End of Life Doula is a companion who supports a person, and their family, as they navigate life leading up to their death and beyond.  Their primary role is to offer non-medical, holistic care, supporting the person’s choices in a kind and non-judgemental way. More about doula services…

Death Cafe Facilitators

Over the past few years, Death Cafes have popped up all over Aotearoa, offering Kiwis an open forum to discuss any issues surrounding life and death. The rich conversations which have been taking place in cafes over coffee and cake were continued during Dying Matters Week, often facilitated by the same people committed to bring death out of the closet. Death Cafes in NZ…

Hospice Staff

In Whangārei, we partnered with North Haven Hospice to put together an event programme featuring many of their incredible staff sharing their specialised knowledge and resources. Topics included: Demystifying Dying, Get Your Ducks in a Row, Caring for Carers, Aromatherapy for End-of-Life Care, Ritual as a Healing Practice, Grief in the Workplace, Making a Memory Box & Capturing Life Stories.

Honohono Tātou Katoa

Honohono Tātou Katoa is dedicated to supporting community aspirations in creating compassionate communities. Their approach centres on creating a safe space for diverse communities to have honest and open conversations about death and dying. Dying Matters Week events around Auckland were co-hosted by Honohono Tātou Katoa and Mercy Hospice.