31 August 2026
In February 2024 Kiri Martin’s world fell apart when she found out her dad, Ken, was at the end of his life. “Dad had had melanoma, which was being treated. But what we thought were side effects from his treatment turned out to be a reoccurrence of cancer,” says Kiri, the director of You Travel, Orewa.
“So, the situation quickly changed from being a routine checkup to finding out it had all gone too far.”
After five days in hospital the family managed to get Ken into Harbour Hospice’s Inpatient Unit (IPU) for end-of-life care. “It was almost like a ‘coming home’ for him,” Kiri says. “It was such a relief for the family to get him into such a beautiful environment.
“As soon as we arrived the team looked at the meds Dad had been on and adjusted them. Just the relief that was brought to the family to see his pain managed.
“We’d also arrived quite late on a Friday night, and one of the doctors had actually stayed after hours to welcome Dad and get him settled in.”
Ken died two days later, and while his Hospice stay was brief the imprint it left on the family has endured. “Just the compassion they showed Dad and the dignity, the kindness they extended to our whole family. They explained things and gave us comfort. It meant so much during an incredibly difficult time.”
During Wills Month last September, Kiri decided to leave a bequest to Harbour Hospice. “I wanted to ensure that families in the future receive the same care that my dad did. And I wanted to honour Dad’s legacy and the legacy of those who’d cared for him.”
Kiri took advantage of a partnership between Harbour Hospice and local law firms that saw her create a will, for free, that included a bequest to Harbour Hospice. She says the process was simple. “And it felt like such a meaningful way to say thank you, while helping Hospice continue its incredible work in our community.”
We are very grateful to have that same partnership running this September with local lawyers Denham Bramwell, Schnauer & Co Lawyers, Paxton-Penman et al and The Legal Team. They will prepare a simple new Will or amendment to your existing Will, free of charge, when you include a gift to Harbour Hospice. To learn more, contact Suzie on 021 226 2741 or suzie.smith@harbourhospice.org.nz
