Hospice Awareness Week is here, running from 11–17 May 2026, and this year’s theme is: Compassionate Care for All
This week is an opportunity to help shine a light on what hospice care really is, and the ripple effect that compassionate, patient- and whānau-led care has across our entire community.
At Hospice Whanganui, we provide specialist palliative care and support for patients and whānau across Whanganui and its large rural rohe. Much of this care takes place in people’s homes and communities, supporting people wherever they choose to be.
Hospice care is about far more than end-of-life care alone. It’s about dignity, comfort, connection, support, and helping people live every moment as fully as possible.
Throughout Hospice Awareness Week, we’ll be sharing stories, community voices, staff acknowledgements, and ways our wider community helps make hospice care possible.
This year’s Awareness Week also includes:
- Community fundraising and mufti days with local schools and kindergartens
- Features in the River City Press
- Celebrating International Nurses Day and acknowledging our incredible Nurses and Health Care Assistants
- Highlighting the role volunteers play in Hospice care
- Supporting Hospice Shops across Whanganui
- A special rugby jersey auction fundraiser generously supported by Murray O’Hara and Wanganui Motors
Hospice care is free for patients and whānau, however it is not fully government funded. Community support through fundraising, donations, sponsorship, volunteering, and Hospice Shops plays a vital role in helping Hospice Whanganui continue providing specialist palliative care across our rohe.
Last year alone:
- 406 patients were supported across our region
- Hospice Whanganui carried out 8,417 home visits
- There were more than 21,754 interactions with patients and whānau
- Volunteers gifted more than 21,800 hours of their time to Hospice Whanganui
This Hospice Awareness Week, we want to thank every person who helps make Hospice care possible – our staff, volunteers, supporters, donors, funders, partners, and wider community.
Together, we continue walking alongside local patients and whānau through some of life’s most important moments.