Our National Voice: Media Coverage

Hospice NZ CEO interviewed on Radio Rhema

What if a simple Christmas ornament could make a real difference in someone's final days?

Wayne Naylor, CEO of Hospice New Zealand, joins the Rhema Breakfast team to talk about the deeper meaning behind the annual Farmers Hospice Bauble campaign. With stories of care that go beyond medicine - offering emotional, spiritual, and practical support, this conversation invites you to rediscover the true spirit of Christmas through compassion, remembrance, and community action.

NZ knew how to care for the dying - then forgot: We're back

'After a decade of palliative care neglect in which New Zealand slumped by world standards, there is new hope the terminally ill may soon be suffering less', writes Kevin Norquay in Wellington's daily, The Post.

This feature tells how New Zealand’s palliative care system is finally showing signs of renewal, with hospice leaders pushing for lasting change.

There is still not enough funding to halt the slide, the fate of dying remains a topic society still doesn’t want to talk about, or place value on, there is a decline in carers, lack of training, and insufficient funding. 

But there are signs of progress at last, the story continues.

Read the full story

Annual Review highlights impact hospices make

Our 2024-2025 Annual Review highlights the impact hospices made in their communities along with our progress advocating for a fairer and sustainable funding model. 

Hospices continue to care for around one in three New Zealanders who die each year.  Last year, hospice reached 20,181 people, including 11,471 who died.

"We’ve navigated a challenging landscape of reform and uncertainty within the wider health system, while continuing to
demonstrate the extraordinary value of hospice care to our communities." says Chief Executive, Wayne Naylor.

Take a look at the 2024-2025 Annual Review here.

THE REVIEWS ARE IN: DYING IN AOTEAROA

Dying Reviews invited people who are dying, or who have supported someone who is, to reflect on how they were treated by the everyday systems that surround us – from energy providers and insurance companies, to employers, government departments and even supermarkets.

Some of the reviews are confronting. Others are praiseworthy. All are a powerful reminder that how we treat people during this phase of life matters deeply.

Hospice Guide for Carers

We are thrilled to welcome the arrival of the new ‘He Puka Ārahi Kaimanaaki Pairuri - A Hospice Guide for Carers’. The new 2024 edition, contains up to date information and support for whānau-family caring for someone with a life-limiting illness. Read more here

Harcourts Foundation and Hospice New Zealand renew partnership for the ninth year

The Harcourts Foundation and Hospice New Zealand are proud to announce the renewal of their national partnership for the ninth consecutive year, continuing their shared commitment through the Hospice New Zealand Grants Programme.

Since its inception in 2017, this partnership has enabled the Harcourts Foundation to contribute over $380,000 to local hospices across Aotearoa. The Grants Programme provides hospices with crucial funding for items that directly enhance the quality of care offered to patients and their whānau.

Dire warning over the state of palliative care

In a new paper published by the New Zealand Medical Journal, Dr Catherine De Souza issues a dire warning on the state of palliative care in New Zealand.

Dr De Souza is chair of the Palliative Care Collaborative Aotearoa and the NZ Branch of the Australia and New Zealand Society of Palliative Care.

Dr De Souza assessed the infrastructure, workforce, quality, accessibility and worth of our palliative care offerings and found the state of palliative care in poor condition.

"It makes weep when I see people in their 90s being admitted to hospital out of hours, because there is nowhere else to go and and there is no-one available to look after them because they are dying. It shouldn't be like that," says De Souza.

Read more:

A News Media story about Dr Catherine's research

 Dr Catherine's paper published in the NZ Medical Journal

Ban on Contactless Payment Surcharges: A Blow to Hospice Op Shops

Hospice New Zealand is calling for urgent engagement with Government over the unintended consequences of the proposed ban on contactless payment surcharges — warning that it could cost charitable retailers millions in lost funding for essential healthcare services.

Humans of Hospice - Meet Trish

After meeting Trish, I left with an overwhelming sense of passion and admiration for the incredible work she does. From discussing her role within the hospice to the beautiful garden on the hospice grounds, created by the local community she works with, it was clear that Trish’s heart is deeply intertwined with the service and the families it serves. The kowhai necklace she wears was gifted to her by hospice in recognition of her years of commitment and dedication to both the service and the community.

Here's Trish’s response to “So, what impact does hospice have?”

Hospice Heroes

Hospice Heroes is must see TV.  Streaming on TV3Now, this series is about the people who work and volunteer at South Auckland’s Tōtara Hospice. In Hospice Heroes, staff, patients and their whānau share their experience of end-of-life care. Dr James Jap is one of them.

Listen to Dr James talk on RNZ Sunday Morning about death, why we need to open up and discuss death more often, and how his workplace can often be filled with joy and laughter.