A Moment to Remember / Ngā Kupu Aroha

A Letter Writing and Memory Keeping Pack

At Hospice Waikato, we know that memories matter.

They hold the stories, connections, love, and experiences that continue to shape and comfort us. That's why we're delighted to offer A Moment to Remember | Ngā Kupu Aroha, a letter-writing and memory-keeping pack designed to support patients and whānau receiving our care.

Available in our Inpatient Unit and through our Community Nursing Service, the pack provides a gentle opportunity to pause, reflect, and put thoughts, memories, stories, and messages into words. Whether writing for yourself, for loved ones, or for future generations, the pack creates space to capture what matters most.

A Space for Reflection, Storytelling and Connection

There is no right or wrong way to use the pack.

Some people choose to write letters to loved ones. Others write stories, reflections, words of gratitude, or memories they wish to preserve. Some may want to record family traditions, life lessons, hopes for the future, or simply a special moment they do not want to be forgotten.

The pack includes writing prompts and materials designed to encourage reflection, conversation, and storytelling. What matters most is that each person uses it in a way that feels meaningful to them.

The idea was inspired by Hospice Waikato volunteer Geoff Taylor, whose son received hospice care before his death. Geoff found that writing became an important part of his own grief journey, helping him process emotions and preserve precious memories. His experience inspired the creation of a simple and accessible resource that could offer others the same opportunity for reflection, connection, and remembrance.

For Sharing or Keeping Private

Some people may wish to share what they write with family and friends, either now or in the future. Others may prefer to write something solely for themselves.

For those deeply personal messages that are not intended to be read by anyone else, Hospice Waikato has provided a special wooden box located in the corridor of our Inpatient Unit. Patients and whānau can place their messages in the box, knowing they will remain private and unread.

At selected times throughout the year, these messages are respectfully burned and their ashes buried in our Garden of Remembrance, creating a meaningful ritual of reflection, remembrance, and release.

Supporting Meaningful Moments

A Moment to Remember | Ngā Kupu Aroha has been created to encourage conversations, support reminiscence, and provide opportunities for connection during what can be a deeply significant time.

Many people find comfort in recording memories, expressing thoughts and feelings, writing letters to loved ones, or leaving messages for the future. For others, simply taking time to reflect can bring a sense of peace and clarity.

While the pack may not be for everyone, it offers a gentle way for patients and whānau to honour memories, share stories, and preserve what is most important to them.

We are grateful to Geoff for sharing his experience and helping bring this initiative to life. It is a wonderful example of how lived experience and community partnership can enrich the care and support we provide for patients and whānau.

A Moment to Remember | Ngā Kupu Aroha letter-writing and memory-keeping packs are available through our Inpatient Unit and Community Nursing Service. If you would like to learn more, please speak with a member of our team.