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Waipuna Hospice Wills Month returns this September, giving local people the opportunity to write a basic will, or update an existing one, for free.

Waipuna Hospice CEO David Bryant said writing a will helps protect the people you love, ensures your wishes are clear and gives you peace of mind that the things that matter most have been taken care of.

Thanks to the generosity of participating local legal firms, the usual fee for a basic will or basic update will be waived during the campaign, he said.

“In return, Waipuna Hospice asks people to consider gifting 1% of their estate to hospice. The remaining 99% can protect their loved ones, while their 1% helps ensure hospice care is available for future generations.”

For Sharon and her husband Richard Holmes, making a will was first and foremost about bringing clarity and reassurance to their blended family. Once they had provided for their children, they also chose to include a gift to Waipuna Hospice.

“I know that we all have somebody who at some stage will need the service, and I think Waipuna Hospice is a Godsend,” Sharon said.

Although she had expected writing a will to be daunting, Sharon said she found the experience much easier than anticipated.

“It’s such a weight off our shoulders. It just gives peace of mind, and our gift to Waipuna has a real sense of purpose about it.”

Bryant said gifts in wills would become increasingly important as the need for hospice care continued to grow.

“Every year, Waipuna Hospice must raise over $8 million to continue providing our care and support at no cost to our patients and their whānau,” Bryant said.

“And that demand is only growing, with the number of New Zealanders needing hospice care expected to double by 2045.

“Gifts in wills help us plan for that future and ensure Waipuna Hospice can continue to be here for the future generations who will need us.”

Waipuna Hospice provides specialist palliative care for people living with life-limiting illnesses, supporting them to live as well and as comfortably as possible.

Care is provided wherever patients call home, with support also available for their families and whānau.

Anyone wishing to take up the Wills Month offer must first register with Waipuna Hospice. They will then receive a list of participating legal firms and a pre-will checklist before contacting their preferred firm directly to make an appointment.

Appointments can fill quickly, so early registration is encouraged.

To register or learn more, visit: https://waipunahospice.org.nz/2026/08/wills-month/ or call 07 552 4380 ext. 211.