What begins as care received, becomes care given.
Every family cared for today, is thanks to those who gave yesterday.
When a person needs hospice care, the whole family feels it. That’s why our care goes beyond the individual. We walk alongside whānau, carers, and loved ones providing physical care, equipment, counselling, volunteer help, and bereavement services.
This vital care is given to the whole family and is free of charge thanks to the generosity of so many, including the families that have come before you.
Many are so touched by the special way we cared for them and their loved one, that they want to give back and show their appreciation.
With less than 50% of our operating costs covered by Te Whatu Ora – Health New Zealand, we are immensely grateful for contributions of any kind.
Here at Waipuna Hospice, we are here for you because of the generosity of others. your gift completes the circle.
Help us keep the circle of care going for others
Our Waipuna Hospice Circle of Care programme is a way for families like yours who have experienced hospice to give back, honour their loved ones, and ensure compassionate care continues for others in their hardest moments.
You are a valuable part of a community who understands, who knows the comfort hospice brings and wants to pass that comfort on.
Your gift makes a significant impact, it…
Ensures families receive care at no cost during one of the most difficult times of their lives.
Supports nurses, healthcare teams, counselling, and respite care.
Keeps care close to home – for every family, in every moment.
Helps ensure that hospice can say “yes” whenever someone reaches out.
“I couldn’t fault Mum’s journey with hospice. The support, both medical and emotional, was incredible. People don’t realise how much hospices help families, not just in the final days but throughout the entire process. Hospice care isn’t something you think about until you need it. But when you do, you realise just how invaluable it is.”
– Avelien Strickland, daughter of patient
Ways you can become a Waipuna Hospice Circle of Care supporter
The Gratitude Tree – Rākau Whakawhetai
The Waipuna Gratitude Tree is a hand-crafted tree made from reclaimed rimu that stands in the reception of our Inpatient Unit.
Each leaf represents a family who has given back through our Waipuna Hospice Circle of Care programme, creating a growing symbol of remembrance, gratitude, and care for future families.
By making a single or regular gift totalling $5,000 or more, you’ll receive your own leaf on the tree which you can personalise with your own message – a lasting tribute to the care your whānau received and the care you’re helping make possible for others.
Create your own Tribute Page online
A Tribute Page is a special online space where family and friends can honour a loved one while supporting hospice care.
You can create your own page to share photos, memories, and stories, and others can leave heartfelt messages and make a donation in your loved one’s name.
Many families choose to use a Tribute Page in lieu of flowers for funeral arrangements, offering a meaningful way for people to express their sympathy while helping ensure hospice care is available for others who need it.
Share your story with us
When families choose to share their hospice story, they offer something truly powerful: a true glimpse into what compassionate end-of-life care looks and feels like. These stories help others understand the impact hospice has during life’s most vulnerable moments – something no statistic or brochure can capture.
We share these stories with our community they often inspire remarkable generosity. In fact, a single story can help raise significant funds – sometimes up to $20,000 – ensuring more families receive the same level of care, comfort, and support.
Telling your story is one of the most meaningful gifts you can give.
The Gratitude Tree
Add your personalised leaf to The Gratitude Tree
The Waipuna Gratitude Tree is a hand-crafted tree made from reclaimed rimu that stands in the reception of our Inpatient Unit.
Each leaf represents a family who has given back through our Circle of Care programme. You can choose to add your own message or special tribute to your leaf.
You can choose when your leaf is added to the tree, perhaps you’d like to choose a date that holds significant meaning to you. You and your family will be invited to attend a special leaf ceremony when your leaf is added to the tree.
Your leaf will remain on The Gratitude Tree for a minimum of 24 months.
Gratitude leaves:
- Bronze Leaf – for donations of $5,000 plus.
- Silver Leaf – for donations of $10,000 plus.
- Gold Leaf – for donations of $25,000 plus.
To select your leaf and add your personal message, you can complete the donation form below or contact us directly and we will walk you through the process.
Waipuna Circle of Care – Frequently Asked Questions
Your leaf will remain on the tree for a minimum of 12 months up to 24 months.
We will notify you to let you know your leaf is due to come down. We will carefully package it up and send it to you to keep.
If your leaf is due to come off the tree, you’ll be given the opportunity to extend or upgrade your leaf by making a new donation.
Each leaf has the space for up to 80 characters including spaces. As the leaves increase in size, the font size will increase but the number of characters remain the same.
Not at all. If you’re stuck on what to say, we have a few suggestions and phrases you can choose from, or simply sign it ‘With thanks, the Smith family.’
Bronze – 12.5cm x 7.5cm
Silver – 13.5cm x 8.5cm
Gold 14.5cm x 9.5cm
Of course. If you’d like to split your donation across multiple leaves that can be arranged. Please get in touch with our team to discuss your options and ideas.
There are a number of ways you can support Waipuna Hospice, donate your quality preloved items to our charity stores, shop in our charity stores, volunteer your time, leave us a gift in your will, make a one-off or regular donation, share your hospice story with us and your friends and family.
Yes, of course. Please call or email us using the contact details at the bottom of this page and we will help you set it up and provide you with the link you can use to share it with your friends and family.
Absolutely. What we normally do is book a time to come and chat to you about your hospice experience, we record the conversation, and then write your story for you. We then send it to you to read and approve, ask you to provide some relevant photos we can use longide your story, and then prepare to publish it for our supporters to read.
Often your story will appear in our newsletter, on our website, and on our social media pages. Sometimes we will also use it as the main story for our donation appeals – these help us raise significant funds for future hospice patients.
“Hospice has saved us several times when we’ve been facing situations we couldn’t handle on our own. We have been so grateful.”
Keryn, Waipuna Hospice Patient
“I know how hard it is to lose a loved one. If I can be part of easing that pain for someone else, why wouldn’t I? Choosing to support hospice is easy.”
Jo, daughter of Beth, a Waipuna Hospice Patient
“When Waipuna Hospice came into Dad’s journey, for me and my siblings, it was such a relief knowing he was cared for. it was like I could finally breathe.”
Stephanie, daughter of Alan, a Waipuna Hospice Patient
Join the Waipuna Circle of Care
To become a Circle of Care supporter, you can complete the donation form below, or contact us to discuss.
Get in touch:
supporter@waipunahospice.co.nz | 07 282 856
Contact us.
If your inquiry is patient related, please phone 07 552 4380