Dying Matters Week & Wills Month: Taking the Fear Out of Planning Ahead
September in New Zealand is spring — a time of new beginnings and fresh starts. It’s also a time to pause and reflect on the important things in life. The first week of September is Dying Matters Week, and the whole month is recognised as Wills Month. Both invite us to have conversations we often put off, but that can bring enormous peace of mind: how we want to be cared for, remembered, and celebrated.
The Peace of Mind Planner
Our Peace of Mind Planner was created to make these conversations easier. It’s a gentle, step-by-step workbook designed to help you write down what matters most — from practical details to personal wishes.
Inside you’ll find:
Guidance to get your thoughts in order
Space to note important information for your family
Checklists to make sure nothing is missed
👉 Where can you find this?
Our Lake Taupō Hospice shop, Paper Plus Taupō or online here : https://www.laketaupohospice.co.nz/peace-of-mind-planner
Advanced Care Plans
An Advanced Care Plan (ACP) lets you record your preferences for health care if you can’t speak for yourself later. This can cover:
The type of treatments you would (or wouldn’t) want
Where you’d prefer to be cared for
Who you’d like to speak for you if you can’t
Filling one out is about making sure your values guide your care. It also gives your family confidence that they are making decisions in line with your wishes.
👉 Find out all the information about ACP’s here: https://www.myacp.org.nz/
Wills
A will is the legal way to make sure your belongings, property, and even guardianship wishes for children are carried out as you want them to be. Having one in place means:
No second-guessing for your loved ones
Less chance of disputes or confusion
Your legacy is looked after the way you intended
In Taupō, there are several trusted firms who can help you create or update your will:
Le Pine & Co Taupo
The largest provider in the Taupō District for estate, wills and trust administration.
37 Paora Hapi Street, Waipapa House Level 1, Town Centre, Taupō 3330
Adrienne Morgan Law – 111 Te Heuheu Street
Grantham Law – 54 Tūwharetoa Street
Cargill Stent Clarke Law Limited – 81 Horomātangi Street
Jensen Waymouth Lawyers – 77 Tītīraupenga Street
MMC Law Ltd – 14 Ruapehu Street
A Simple Roadmap
Start the conversation — Dying Matters Week and Wills Month are the perfect prompt.
Use the Peace of Mind Planner — Write down what matters most to you.
Complete your ACP — Make sure your health care wishes are known.
Get your will sorted — Talk with a trusted local law firm.
Keep it fresh — Update your plans when life changes.
Talking about death isn’t easy, but it doesn’t need to be scary. It’s about love, care, and making life a little easier for the people who matter most.
This September, during Dying Matters Week and Wills Month, take a step toward peace of mind — for you and your family. With the Peace of Mind Planner, an Advanced Care Plan, and the help of local law firms, you’ll have everything you need to feel prepared.