Our vision: Compassionate communities that work together supporting people to live and die well  | Hapori aroha e mahi tahi ki te tautoko i te iwi kiora me te mate pai

North Haven Hospice provides palliative care for people of all ages with a life limiting condition who meet our referral criteria, and also offers support for their families/whānau and carers. [Non-specialist palliative care is provided by primary health providers.]

We are a community resource and there is no charge for our service, which is available to those meeting our referral criteria who reside in the Whangārei District and the south-east of the Kaipara District including Mangawhai, Maungaturoto, Kaiwaka, Topuni and Oruawharo - a total area of 3150 square kilometres. Hospice services are partially funded by Te Whatu Ora. The remainder is raised by revenue from our Whangārei, Mangawhai and Waipu shops, fundraising activities and events, and donations and bequests.

Hospice is not a 'place'; it is a philosophy of care known as palliative care which can happen anywhere. The majority of patients receive our care and support entirely in their homes or place of residence. Patients who need a higher level of care and support may have a short admission to our inpatient unit (IPU), mostly for symptom management before returning home or to a care facility.

North Haven Hospice's premises in Tikipunga, Whangārei, act as a hub, where Hospice's IPU, doctors, nurses, counsellors, social worker, Kaimahi Tiaki Wairua, Te Tumu Herenga Waka, healthcare assistants, volunteers and other staff are based.

Our medical and clinical staff work collaboratively with other service providers such as GPs, district nurses, iwi providers and other health professionals to provide specialist palliative care where the needs are complex.

Whilst around three-quarters of patients have a cancer diagnosis, one-quarter of patients have other life-limiting illnesses such as diseases of the heart, lung, kidney, and liver, or motor neurone disease.

For patients, a referral to Hospice does not necessarily mean that death is imminent, rather that they have symptoms or needs which are complex and require specialist palliative care to enhance their quality of life.

Our care is holistic, embracing the physical, emotional, social, cultural and spiritual needs of patients and their family/whānau and carers.  Our friendly volunteer team offer other services such as Nurturing Touch (hand or foot massage), helping to record life reflections and memoirs or writing letters to family.  Our service continues into bereavement support to ensure ongoing whānau/family wellbeing.