Gateway Funeral Services

30/10/2026

Welcoming spring at Gateway Funeral Services 🌿

We’ve refreshed our entrance with beautiful new planter boxes crafted by CReW Whakatāne, topped up with quality mix and compost from Plateau Compost Ltd in Onepu.

Looking forward to seeing these bloom in the sun and provide a peaceful welcome to the families we care for. 🌸

26/10/2026

Ka rawe te mahi Vonnie!

From all of us at Gateway Funeral Services we think you’re awesome 🤩

🎇 Congratulations to our newest Unsung Hero... Vonnie Waihirere! 🎉

Here are some highlights from her lovely nominator, Larni:

“I wholeheartedly nominate Aunty Vonnie as an Unsung Hero for her 35 years of dedicated service as an embalmer, caring for thousands of our loved ones across the Eastern Bay and wider rohe.

Much of her mahi happens behind closed doors, but her impact on our whānau is immeasurable. She has helped families through some of the saddest moments of their lives, ensuring their loved ones are cared for with dignity, respect and compassion.

And if you know Aunty Vonnie, you’ll know she’s probably the worst person to go to Pak N Save with or take a quick walk down Kope with, because everyone knows her! What should be a quick trip always turns into a series of catch-ups with people she’s connected with throughout the community.

That says so much about who she is. She’s not only dedicated decades to caring for our people, but has built lasting relationships throughout our rohe.

Aunty Vonnie has spent 35 years helping whānau farewell the people they love. Now, it’s our turn to recognise her. She is the true meaning of an unsung hero, and she deserves to know just how much her mahi means to our community”.

Vonnie takes home a $100 Prezzy Card, thanks to Alpha Pipelines & Whakatane Mill Ltd, but it sounds like she's rich in aroha for her community! 🙌

📢 Listen to the Unsung Hero Replay for Vonnie here:
https://www.1xx.co.nz/player/on-demand/items/vonnie-waihirere/

👉 Nominate your own Unsung Hero here: 1xx.co.nz/unsungheroes

24/10/2026

11/10/2026

Keeping a strong sense of belonging is vital for our mental wellbeing.

This Mental Health Awareness Week (12–18 October), the focus is on how feeling included, valued, and connected shapes our collective health. When we build strong, supportive connections with those around us, it creates a safer, healthier environment for everyone.

Last month together with Eastern Bay Community Foundation we held an event with Dr Lucy Hone to bring together people from all walks of our community to support anyone going through challenging times. We hope it was a useful event for those that attended. Let us know how you found it in the comments!

For more information and resources, visit the Mental Health Foundation of New Zealand at https://mhaw.nz/

To find helpful tools and support options for taking care of your mental wellbeing, visit: www.healthnz.govt.nz/health-topics/mental-health/where-to-get-help

🌿🌿🌿

01/10/2026

Giving back to the Eastern Bay has always been at the heart of what we do at Gateway Funeral Services - and we want to make sure that support lasts for generations to come. 💙

Back in 2022, we partnered with the Eastern Bay Community Foundation to establish the GFS Endowment Fund. By making regular contributions that are invested for long-term growth, we've created a permanent source of funding for local initiatives.

From providing clubs for the Whakatāne Golf Club Junior Golf Programme to bringing resilience expert Dr. Lucy Hone to our region this year, it’s incredible to see the difference this partnership is making in our community.

Read the full story on our website to see how the fund works and how we're building a lasting legacy together: www.gatewayfuneral.co.nz/blog/post/170416/giving-back-to-our-community/

30/09/2026

To give families and loved ones a dedicated, peaceful space to remember and reflect, our Death Notices and Tributes are published directly on our website rather than on social media.

Each month, thousands in our community visit our site to leave messages of love and share memories:
🌐 www.gatewayfuneral.co.nz/tributes

We are always here to support you and honour those who matter most 🤍

23/09/2026

18/09/2026

What a great day in Whakatāne at the Community expo!
Connecting with local organisations, families and whānau, catching up with familiar faces and hearing about the mahi happening across the Eastern Bay.
To finish the day, it was an honour to hear Dr Lucy Hone share her heartfelt presentation, “How Will I Ever Get Through This? Lessons from Science and Life.”
Her kōrero about grief was honest, moving and a beautiful reminder that we learn to live alongside grief - and that connection and community truly matter.

A pretty special day all round.

17/09/2026

💛 Tomorrow we welcome Dr Lucy Hone to the Eastern Bay to explore one of life's biggest questions: How Will I Ever Get Through This?

If you've been thinking about coming, this is your sign.

📆 Friday 18 September
📍 Liberty Centre - 65 Wairaka Road , Whakatane
💬 11am Community Expo
🎤 12pm Keynote from Dr Lucy Hone

🎟️ Tickets to this community event are just $10 - get yours here www.ebcf.events or you can get one on the door

In collaboration with the Eastern Bay Community Foundation

16/09/2026