Our Care
Specialist In-Home Palliative Care for Far North Families
At Far North Community Hospice, we provide specialist in-home palliative care free of charge, 24 hours a day, for anyone living with a life-limiting illness across the Far North region—from Mitimiti to Taupō Bay to Cape Reinga.
This may include conditions such as heart failure, cancer, multiple sclerosis, motor neurone disease, emphysema, or any illness for which there is no cure. Our hospice care is not limited to the final days of life. For many of our patients and their whānau, we provide long-term support, helping them live well for as long as possible.
Our Services
Our Palliative Care Nurses are fully trained and accredited, offering personalised, compassionate care that focuses on managing symptoms, relieving discomfort, and supporting emotional wellbeing. They work closely with our Family Support Coordinator, and our Patient and Whānau Clinician, an experienced counsellor who provides psychosocial and grief support for patients and their whānau.
We aim to enhance quality of life—helping patients maintain dignity, comfort, and a sense of control. Our nurses do not wear uniforms, and our vehicles are unmarked to ensure privacy and discretion during home visits.
Holistic Palliative Care
We take a holistic approach to end-of-life care, supporting the full spectrum of needs—physical (tinana), emotional (hinengaro), social (whānau), spiritual (wairua), and cultural. Our care is delivered with empathy, respect, and cultural sensitivity.
Our clinical team works in partnership with your existing health providers (e.g., GPs, oncology or specialist health teams) to provide seamless, continuous care throughout your journey.
How Hospice Support Works
Referrals to Far North Community Hospice can be made by a General Practitioner (GP), a healthcare provider, or directly by a patient or their representative. Once referred, we visit the patient and their whānau to assess immediate needs and coordinate the right support.
The initial engagement is a time of connection and planning. Our nurses take time to understand your concerns and ensure the right palliative care services are in place. Again, our clinical team does not wear uniforms, and our vehicles are unmarked to honour your privacy and comfort.
We’re available 24/7 to answer questions, offer reassurance, or help manage any changes in symptoms.
Medical Equipment
To help patients remain safely and comfortably at home, we provide specialist medical equipment on loan and free of charge following a clinical assessment and as your needs change.
Our equipment is professionally cleaned, delivered, and installed by our team at no cost. Whether it’s a hospital bed, mobility aid, or other device, our goal is to support independence and help patients stay in their own homes throughout their treatment.
Our People
Jillian Iti
CEO
Anne-Marie
Accounts and Admin
George
Facilities Manager
Annette
Palliative Care Nurse
Bryony
Palliative Care Nurse
Carol
Palliative Care Nurse
Colleen
Family Support Coordinator
Damian
Doctor
Erin
Acting Team Leader
Fern
Palliative Care Nurse
Kate
Palliative Care Nurse
Monique
Family and Whānau Clinician
Kat
Volunteer Coordinator
Board Members
Anne Walker (Chair)
Tony Birch
Naomi Austen-Reid
Angela Phillipps
Amanda Bell
Ian Swindells
Richard Dampney
Shop Managers
Trina
Kaitaia Take 2 Hospice Shop Manager
Fritha
Coopers Beach
Shop Manager
Referrals
People can be referred to Far North Community Hospice as soon as a life-limiting illness is diagnosed—not just in the final stages of life. In fact, many patients and whānau tell us they wished they had accessed in-home palliative care support earlier.
Our hospice services are free of charge and available to those living within the Far North District—from Hokianga to Taupō Bay to Cape Reinga.
To make a referral, please use our online referral form and ensure you select the appropriate hospice service.
Urgent Referrals – Weekdays 8:00am–4:30pm
For urgent referrals, please call us directly on 0800 114 980.
If your patient lives outside our Far North service area, you can find their local hospice via the Hospice NZ Find a Hospice tool.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does hospice care cost in NZ?
Hospice care in New Zealand, including at Far North Community Hospice, is completely free of charge for patients and their whānau.
Our specialist in-home palliative care services are funded through a mix of Government funding and the generosity of our local Far North community — meaning there is no cost to receive support, no matter how long it’s needed. From Mitimiti to Cape Reinga, we’re here to help people live well, without financial burden.
The Truth About Hospice: What Families Need to Know
What many people don’t realise is that hospice care isn’t just for the very end of life. At Far North Community Hospice, we support people from the time of diagnosis of a life-limiting illness, offering help with managing symptoms, navigating emotional challenges, and supporting whānau every step of the way.
Our palliative care team can be involved early, helping people live as well as possible at home — not just during the final days, but throughout the journey. Many patients say they wish they had been referred sooner.
What’s the difference between hospice and palliative care?
Palliative care is a broader approach focused on relieving symptoms and improving quality of life for people with serious, life-limiting conditions. It can be provided alongside other treatments and isn’t limited to those nearing the end of life.
Hospice care, like the services we provide at Far North Community Hospice, is a specialist form of palliative care offered when a person is no longer receiving curative treatment. Our in-home hospice service supports both patients and their whānau through this time, ensuring comfort, dignity, and peace — always delivered with empathy and cultural sensitivity.
How long do patients stay in hospice?
Far North Community Hospice does not have an inpatient unit on site. Most people we support prefer to remain in the comfort of their own homes, surrounded by the people and things they love. However, we do offer the use of a dedicated room at Kaitaia Hospital – called “The Haven” for those people who prefer not to have their last few days at home. A support person must be with patients at all times when using this room and whānau are encouraged to be there with the person. Hospice Nurses and hospital staff will be available to support medication management, but families will care for the patient’s personal needs.
In addition, all people in the Far North are able to access the Inpatient Unit (IPU) at North Haven Hospice in Whangārei if that is their preference. Your FNCH Nurse will be able to arrange this for you.
The length of hospice support varies. Some people receive end-of-life care over a short period, while others may be supported for weeks, months or even years, depending on their needs. Our team walks alongside patients and whānau for as long as support is needed — always free of charge and tailored to each person’s journey.
Do you have an office where we can visit you?
Yes you are welcome to visit us at 58A Matthews Avenue, Kaitaia anytime. Our office is usually manned from 8am -430pm Monday to Friday. We also have a lovely quiet home “Awhi House” behind our offices where we can meet with you and/or any of your whānau away from home if you would prefer that.