Three million Kiwis find talking about dying hard, says Hospice New Zealand.

Hospice New Zealand is launching a campaign today to help raise awareness about the value of hospice care.

The campaign It's Ok features hospice patients and whānau sharing their emotional journeys of dying and hospice care.

Hospice NZ chief executive Wayne Naylor says over three million of us tend to feel anxious and uncomfortable when thinking about a loved one dying (69 per cent).

These stories shine a spotlight on how hospice care helps to make that journey a little easier.

"Dying is not an easy subject to talk about. We don't know what to say and we're afraid we'll say the wrong thing. This campaign features hospice patients and whanau sharing their emotional experiences in the hope that others will be ok about opening up and reach out to Hospice for help."

"Everyone's story is unique, but feelings are universal and whatever you feel, is ok. If we can open up; if we can talk about dying and be ok with all the feelings we have; we can make the most of life right until the end. Hospice helps people get through."

One of the stories features Latoya, a patient at Tatara Hospice in South Auckland who encourages talking about dying.

"The topic is so depressing and so sad and so taboo but yet it's one of the most natural things that happens in life…you live and you die… why I'm so comfortable now is because it is something we can talk about," says Latoya.

Another story features Haley, whose friend died in the care of Otago Community Hospice, and who encourages opening up.

"Just normalise it, make it ok…it does make it easier…when you ignore it, it makes it incredibly difficult," says Haley.

Wayne hopes this campaign motivates more New Zealanders to support hospice.

"We rely on the generosity of our communities to deliver our life changing services. We couldn't do it without their support."

"Understanding the care, the value, the comfort that Hospice provides - is why Hospice Awareness Week is so important. "

Hospice Awareness Week : May 15-21

In Numbers

In 2021/2022 Hospice across Aotearoa;

Provided care to 17,589 people, plus their whsnau. Cared for 10,592 people who died.

Provided 166,541 face to face visits. Made 290,741 phone calls to patients and whānau members. Provided nearly 28,000 nights of specialist care in hospice inpatient units. Provided 24,042 bereavement contacts.

Had to raise over $94m through their second-hand retail shops, fundraising, donations, and other sources, including from reserves, to keep afloat.

Community Views : Public Perceptions Research on Hospice, Death and Dying (completed Jan 2023)

Over two thirds of us (around 3 million) tend to feel anxious and uncomfortable when thinking about a loved one dying (69 per cent).

In 2022 a higher proportion of New Zealanders had experienced the death of a close friend or relative (82 per cent compared to 2015 (77 per cent).

This number increases to more than 90 per cent for Maori. And just in the past two years, two million of us have experienced the death of a close friend or relative.

"We know death is around us but that doesn't make us feel more comfortable about it. About 61 per cent of us feel it is hard to talk about death with someone you care about who is dying.

"More young New Zealanders have experienced the loss of a loved one. Nearly a million New Zealanders cared for a loved one who was dying in the past two years. Around 40 per cent of carers spent 21+ hours per week in their caring role.

"The key rewards of being a carer were: spending time with that person (76 per cent), giving back to someone they care about (75 per cent), and doing something meaningful (61 per cent).

"Only 13 per cent of us have made an Advanced Care Plan."