Hospice Tairāwhiti launching Dying Matters Week events in Gisborne

Hospice Tairāwhiti is holding events in Gisborne for Dying Matters Week. Photo / Anne-Marie de Bruin

Hospice Tairāwhiti is holding events in Gisborne this week to mark Dying Matters Week for the first time.

The event is organised nationwide by Go With Grace, a support resource for New Zealanders going through death and dying.

Hospice Tairāwhiti, in a statement, described the occasion as “about connecting people across Aotearoa to start conversations in a safe space, learn from local experts and seek support to get affairs in order and navigate grief or loss”.

Hospice Tairāwhiti Family support co-ordinator Jen Clarke called Dying Matters Week “a powerful catalyst for reshaping how we talk and think about grief, loss and end-of-life as a collective”.

“It’s not just about awareness - it’s about transformation. Together we can build a new narrative that fosters connection and ‘meaning-making’ by reclaiming death as a shared human experience.”

Local experts will be at venues across Tūranganui-a-Kiwa Gisborne for events throughout this week.

Korowai Cuppa, a weekly drop-in grief group run by Clarke, will be held tomorrow (Tuesday) from 10am until 12pm at Hospice Tāirawhiti.

Also on Tuesday will be a session on supporting whānau in palliative care and volunteering with Hospice. It will be held from 2pm to 3.30pm at the H.B. Williams Memorial Library Mairerangi Room.

“Join our Hospice Tairāwhiti Family support co-ordinator Jen Clarke and volunteer co-ordinator Jane Kibble as they discuss their respective support roles for patients, whanau and carers in the palliative care space,” the statement said.

Another drop-in group, Good Grief, will be held at Tāiki E! in Treble Court on Wednesday from 10am to 6pm.

“Stop by for a coffee and access support and learnings around navigating the end-of-life journey.”

From 10.30am, also at Tāiki E! on Wednesday, is What Now? Navigating Grief with Annie Meredith, an end-of-life doula (non-medical professional support person).

On Thursday from 10am to 11am at the Mairerangi Room, a talk will be given by Growing Through Grief facilitator Nicole West on Supporting Children and Young People after a Death.

From 5.15pm to 6.15pm on Thursday at Tāiki E! is Qi Gong for Grief Support with Lisa Murphy.

“Qi Gong is a gentle practice of mindful movement and conscious breathing that helps restore balance - physically, emotionally and energetically.”

Vicki Hiha’s two-day whāriki casket weaving workshop will start on Saturday.

Spaces are limited and bookings are essential. To register or ask pātai, email Vicki at mvhiha@gmail.com.

Information on other events throughout the week can be found on the Go With Grace website under Dying Matters Week - Gisborne Events.