Sanctuary NZ End of Life Doula

30/04/2026

I deeply respect the generosity of James Valentine and his family in publicly sharing the story of his illness and death using VAD ( Assisted Dying in Aotearoa). His openness helps to creates an opportunity for us all to think about our end-of-life wishes and discuss them with our loved ones. This article is a beautiful tribute to how he lived and died.

“He kept saying, the one thing I want to do is really try to die well because it’s such an important thing. I don’t want to leave the kids thinking that I was bitter and angry and full of resentment ...

“He was very conscious that ‘I’m going to consider this very calmly and quietly and I’m going to discuss it with the children’. We had very beautiful, existential, spiritual, deep and meaningful conversations for the last six months.”

Corrigan, who said Valentine loved engaging in these conversations, believes it’s important to discuss looming death rather than, as so often happens out of discomfort or from not know what to say, avoiding the topic.

Thank you James and sending comfort and peace to your whānau🌿

The much-loved broadcaster’s wife, clinical psychologist Joanne Corrigan, talks movingly about his farewell to family.

05/04/2026

You do not have to carry this alone- How EOLD's can support caregivers

"If you are supporting someone with a life-limiting condition or at the end of life, it can be difficult to recognise the extent of what you are holding. You may be used to continuing, adjusting, finding a way through each day. You may not think of yourself as someone who needs support, or who is allowed to want it. Support is not a sign that something is lacking in you. It is a recognition that what you are doing is significant, demanding, and worthy of being shared.
End of life doulas are one part of a broader network of care. Our role is to accompany you, to offer steadiness, and to help carry what can feel like too much to hold on your own.
You deserve that too"

Another great blog from End of life Doulas - Preparing the Way🌿

Caregivers carry more than we see. Learn how end of life doulas can provide support, guidance, and breathing room during demanding times.

22/03/2026

⭐️KKevin Toolisand Lisa Hui⭐️
Mon, 23 Mar, 6pm - 7pm NZDT
Tautoru/TSB Space, Hapori | Community, Level 1, Tūranga
Free Event!

After hearing Kevin Toolis and Lisa Tui at the ANZSPM conference this weekend, I can honestly say their work offers something deeply meaningful for anyone working in end of life care, or simply wanting to better understand how we live with, and alongside, death.

Highly recommend attending if you can!

A conversation on getting comfortable with death.

31/01/2026

So beautifully put Treza Swansong : End-of-Life Doula Services 💚. And thank you for shining a light on our mahi 1News🌿

An end-of-life doula is like a midwife at the other end of life, helping people and/or their families make the transition from life to death.

18/01/2026

End of Life Doulas can be part of the solution to this 'looming crisis' providing emotional, practical, spiritual, social, cultural, educational, vigil care.

We support continuity and accompany, advocate and educate the people we support through out their journey.
We complement the medical/ clinical team as much as possible to try and ensure the circle of care is providing as much wrap around as is needed for the person and their Whānau/community.

We also communicate with our people about their hopes for dying well and their after death wishes.

If Palliative care/ Hospice starts to engage more actively with Doulas to discuss our services, it may lessen the strain on the whole system. We are not the only solution but we can be a part of the solution.

For more information:
www. eldaa.org.nz. https://thespinoff.co.nz/society/19-01-2026/how-we-die-inside-new-zealands-looming-crisis-in-palliative-care

18/01/2026

End of Life Doulas can be part of the solution to this 'looming crisis' providing emotional, practical, spiritual, social, cultural, educational, vigil care.

We support continuity and accompany, advocate and educate the people we support through out their journey.
We complement the medical/ clinical team as much as possible to try and ensure the circle of care is providing as much wrap around as is needed for the person and their Whānau/community.

We also communicate with our people about their hopes for dying well and their after death wishes.

If Palliative care/ Hospice starts to engage more actively with Doulas to discuss our services, it may lessen the strain on the whole system. We are not the only solution but we can be a part of the solution.

For more information:
www. eldaa.org.nz or www.sanctuarynz.co.nz

As New Zealand’s population ages, the number of people dying each year will rise rapidly. With hospices already experiencing funding shortages, who will care for us at the end of our lives?

14/01/2026

Another great blog piece from Shannon at Your Path Guide Pty Ltd🙏🤍. Although Shannon is based in Australia, much of this rings true for NZ . It's great to read pieces that so clearly highlight the value of and need for Doula care and support in our societies 🌿.

Palliative Care Australia has warned that hospital bed block is rising because people lack enough support in the community. This article explores how End of Life Doulas work alongside clinical team…

08/12/2025

"Care for dying - we knew, we forgot, we’re back-New Zealand’s palliative care system is finally showing signs of renewal, with hospice leaders pushing for lasting change"

Here’s hoping this momentum continues and that Palliative Care services increasingly partner with, and make referrals to patients who would benefit from End of Life Doula support!

I know and see daily that strengthening this continuum of care makes a genuine difference for whānau who need more time, support, and continuity alongside clinical teams.

'After a decade of palliative care neglect in which New Zealand slumped by world standards, there is new hope the terminally ill may soon be suffering less', writes Kevin Norquay in Wellington's daily, The Post.

20/11/2025

⭐ End-of-Life Doulas in Palliative Care ⭐

Across Aotearoa, Doulas are supporting individuals and whānau through some of the most challenging moments of serious illness, dying, and bereavement. As the demand on clinical services grows, we can offer compassionate, practical, and relational care that complements the expertise of palliative teams.

🌿 When would Doulas improve the journey for your patients?

* When patients and their whānau are struggling, not yet eligible for hospice care, or needing additional non-clinical support.
* When discharging patients with non-complex needs or limited family capacity.
* During last days of life, vigil periods, at the time of death, and afterwards, especially when no plans have been made.
* When a person wishes to die at home but their care circle are uncertain or not confident to manage that.
* When a person doesn’t have family support and needs help to navigate the journey.

🌿 What actions strengthen collaboration?

* Encourage patients to visit ELDAA, and make an informed choice about whether they want to engage a Doula. It costs nothing to make a phone call or have a first visit to determine whether a doula is the right fit. And where there is financial hardship, families and doulas can discuss how to tailor support to the person’s needs and budget.
* Appoint a hospice contact or “Doula Liaison” to help connect patients and families with local doulas and build relationships for ongoing collaboration.

EOLDs bring a growing and skilled workforce, training, and a commitment to compassionate care. What we need now is continued open conversation, recognition, and clearer integration pathways that acknowledge Doulas as part of the wider palliative care solution.

We encourage palliative and health care teams meet with the Doulas in your area, learn about the work we do, and explore how we can support your patients, your teams, and our communities.

🌿 Reach out:
sarah@sanctuarynz.co.nz
www.sanctuarynz.co.nz
www.eldaa.org.nz

Send a message to learn more

19/11/2025

Shannon from Your Path Guide Pty Ltd has started a beautiful series of videos on End of Life Doula care and support . Here is the first one ♥️

09/11/2025

A gem from the fantastic conversation between dear friend and incredible colleague Treza Swansong : End-of-Life Doula Services and Petra Sunday Sanctuary last week🌿💛🌟.

On why having tender conversations can be so vitally important:
"Giving people the chance to really explore what life is about, what they think happens when they die, what death looks like usually and exploring these existential and spiritual dimensions which become hugely important for people at end of life"

06/11/2025

Chair of ELDAA, Treza Gallogly, joined Petra Bagust on the most recent episode (Community and Death) of Sunday Sanctuary 💛.

It’s an inspiring, authentic and insightful discussion, touching upon life, death, hope, and many things in between. It also explains beautifully the role of an End of Life Doula for those who are curious about the different aspects of Doula support and services.

Listen to the episode here: https://open.spotify.com/episode/1fE28ogeiqibtYbGohSpcL

Thanks to Treza Swansong : End-of-Life Doula Services and Petra for the humanity and aroha you bring🌿