The Spinoff has recentlyreleased an article called “How we die: Inside New Zealand’s looming crisis inpalliative care” written by James Borrowdale. It’s a great read and we’d like to share it with you: How we die: Inside New Zealand’s looming crisis in palliative care | The Spinoff

For the last 2 years at least, Hospice NZ (the national membership and advocacy organisations for independent hospices in New Zealand) has been more vocal about the lack of funding for local hospices and the strain they are under.  In Northland, we have 4 charity hospice organisations which are all only partially funded by the government to varying degrees.  North Haven Hospice in Whangārei manages the in-patient unit for all of Northland and only receives partial government funding.

We need to raise about $4 million a year to cover all our costs – most of which is for the doctors, nurses and social workers who do all the specialist care and support you need.  That means we need to fundraise about $12,000 a day to make up the gap and keep our services free of charge for all that need it.

A recent 2024 report on hospice services found that hospices take the pressure off the national health system and in fact, every $1 of hospice government funding generates $1.49 in national health benefits.  And yet, hospices in NZ have not received any increases in funding for many years.

People talk about a “perfect storm”, and hospices are facing theirs now.

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Our national population is aging, and Northland has the highest dependency ratio in the country.  What that means is we have71 dependents for every 100 people of working age [1] and this age mix puts increasing pressure on health and aged care, with 50% of Northland’s population in the Whangārei district.  We are also NZ’s most rural district with diverse settlement patterns.  And the numbers of dying and the demand for our services are increasing every year.

Our national population is aging, and Northland has the highest dependency ratio in the country.  What that means is we have 71 dependents for every 100 people of working age [1] and this age mix puts increasing pressure on health and aged care, with 50% of Northland’s population in the Whangārei district.  We are also NZ’s most rural district with diverse settlement patterns.  And the numbers of dying and the demand for our services are increasing every year.

Shortages usually mean cost-cutting, particularly of non-clinical staff, and trying to keep overheads low so there is no impact on patient care.  To date, North Haven Hospice has been able to maintain their existing level of care and support to all those registered with us.

We’ve been able to do this with the net revenue we receive from the 4 op shops we operate (thanks to almost 300 dedicated retail volunteers), fundraising events put on by community members and groups, individual donations and regular giving campaigns like “500 for 5” and the newly launched “$1K for Care”. And we can assure you, all funds raised in our community stay in our community, keeping North Haven Hospice here.

If you can help ensure our future, please donate here - https://www.northhavenhospice.org.nz/donate .

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[1] Economic Quarterly, NorthlandRegional Council, December 2025

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