Manaaki programmes, support groups and workshops

We offer a variety of regular groups, workshops and manaaki (care) programmes to support our clients, their carers and whānau.

These take place at Te Kowhāi, in the community, family home or the place of care. Our range of activities and programmes allows a change of scene, companionship and support in various settings. We also offer grief support groups and workshops for whānau after a loved one has died.

All our services are free for people with a life-limiting illness in Wairarapa, including their whānau and carers. Programmes and workshops generally run during school term time and are facilitated and supported by trained professionals. Transport can be arranged for anyone who needs help to attend and all sessions can be attended on a drop-in, or regular, basis.

Programmes and regular activities

  • Creative Arts Therapy

    Here at Hospice Wairarapa we offer both one-to-one and group arts therapy sessions with a fully registered Creative Arts Therapist. Our group session is tailored to those living with life-limiting illnesses and terminal diagnosis. Group sessions range in size from 4 to 6 participants and is run weekly on Tuesdays 10:30am to 1pm during school terms.

    Our one-to-one creative arts therapy sessions extend to also include grieving families and children.

    Whether one-to-one or in a group setting, the creative arts offer all our clients opportunities to develop self-awareness through self-expression. Where words do not come easily, the arts can provide transformative pathways to healing and overall improved well-being.

    Being artistic or an artist is not a requirement for arts therapy as it is our firm belief that everyone has the capacity to be creative.

    Please contact us for further information or if you’d like to attend.

  • Grief Support Group

    We hold a monthly coffee group for grieving whānau and carers at Te Kōwhai.

    This informal coffee group is designed to provide an opportunity to an opportunity for those in bereavement to meet with others and share experiences, ideas and strategies for coping with grief that follows the death of a loved one.

    Our spiritual carer and a trained volunteer facilitate the meet-up.

    Sessions: Monthly on the second Wednesday of the month, 10:30am - 12pm.
    Location: Te Kōwhai, 59 Renall St, Masterton

    Please contact us if you’re interested in attending.

  • Raranga Harakeke Weaving Workshop

    We’re hosting a monthly harakeke flax‑weaving workshop at Hospice Wairarapa for anyone experiencing loss, grief, or change due to a serious illness - whether personally, as a caregiver, or supporting someone on that journey.

    Weaving has many benefits, such as, enhancing hauora wellbeing, encouraging mindfulness, concentration and satisfaction from seeing the final product. This can help to reduce stress, anxiety and provide time out when facing significant health challenges.

    The harakeke weaving sessions occur on:

    Date: 3rd Thursday of the month
    Time: 10am – 1pm
    Venue: Hospice Wairarapa, 59 Renall Street, Masterton
    Facilitator: Whaea Edith Rolls, Wairarapa harakeke master weaver

    Drop-in on the day – no need to register.

    We look forward to seeing you there!

  • Rongoā for Wellness

    Monthly Rongoā for Wellness workshop at Hospice Wairarapa for anyone experiencing loss, grief, or change due to a serious illness - whether personally, as a caregiver, or supporting someone on that journey.

    The Rongoā sessions occur on:

    Date: The 1st Thursday of the month
    Time: 10am – 1pm
    Venue: Hospice Wairarapa, 59 Renall Street, Masterton
    Facilitator: Whaea Edith Rolls

    Drop-in on the day – no need to register.

    We look forward to seeing you there!

  • Remembrance Services

    At Hospice Wairarapa we host remembrance services for our community through the year, all are welcome to join. Please keep an eye on our event section for dates.

    Matariki Service of Remembrance - a time of rest and reflection, to remember our loved ones we have lost, celebrate the present, and prepare for the future.

    Annual Remembrance Service in December - a moment in the lead up to Christmas to pause, reflect and remember those who are no longer with us. Each person in attendance is able to write the name of a loved one and place on the tree during the service.

    Afterwards, we share kai and stories of our loved ones.

    "There is a sacredness in tears. They are not the mark of weakness but of power. They speak more eloquently than ten thousand tongues. They are messengers of overwhelming grief... and unspeakable love" - Washington Irving.

  • Seasons for Growth

    Seasons for Growth aims to build resilience and bring hope and confidence to adults who have experienced significant change or loss. Grief may be due to any number of experiences: bereavement, relationship breakdown, coming to a new country or experiencing a natural disaster. It may be a recent loss, or something that happened a long time ago.

    The program is run across 4 weekly sessions regularly across the year.

    Please contact us if you’re interested in attending the next Seasons program.

  • Foundations of Spiritual Care

    Ngā Mātāpono O Te Manaaki Wairua

    Foundations of Spiritual Care FOSC, is a professional development programme targeting foundation spiritual care training needs of the hospice teams (governance, staff and volunteers). Ultimately the aim is to improve the understanding and knowledge of spirituality and spiritual care with and for the wider hospice team. Thereby improving the spiritual wellbeing of their organisations and spiritual care for patients, families and whānau.

    Courses run throughout the year - please contact us if you’re interested in attending the next course.

  • Other support groups & workshops

    We offer other grief support groups, services and workshops for whānau including tamariki.

    Our support groups and workshops can provide an opportunity to find support and expression in a variety of ways.

    Sessions: Regularly throughout the year
    Location: Te Kōwhai, 59 Renall St, Masterton

    Please contact us if you’re interested in attending.

Enquire about programmes

Other services we offer

Our supportive care is tailored to individual physical, emotional, social, cultural and spiritual needs and these factors are taken into account to help optimise the quality of life for our clients.

The other services and resources available to you include:

Please don't hesitate to call or contact us if you have any questions about our services or the support we offer.

Find out more