Take the time to talk
From preplanning and/or prearranging of funerals, to looking after you when your loved one dies, through to designing and organising of memorials, the team at Avenal Park Funeral Home are here for you.
We encourage you to talk - to have those meaningful conversations. We have prearrangement packs at our office - 75 Fox Street, Invercargill or we can post/email the information to you. Avenal Park Funeral Home staff can assist you with completing the details. The information can either be held in safe keeping at our office or you can keep the paperwork with your other important documents. Just remember to tell a family member, or someone close to you where this information is stored.
Prepayments are managed through the FDANZ Funeral Trust. It is not an insurance policy, the money you pay is yours – held in trust for when it is required.
If you would like to talk to someone about funeral options or would even like a tour of our premises, please contact Nigel, Donna, Chris or Mel at Avenal Park Funeral Home - 03 218 9021.
Poll: Should we ditch daylight saving? 🕰️
First introduced in New Zealand in 1927 with the passing of the Summer Time Act, it's what we know as 'Daylight Saving' and this year it ends on the first Sunday in April.
While we do get to sleep in this time around, some people would like to scrap the clock tinkering for good.
And why? Some evidence suggests the time changes are bad for our health as they mess with sleep patterns leading to short-term fatigue and affecting mood. Meanwhile the hour change is frustrating for farmers and a nightmare for getting the littlies to sleep. But what's your take?
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39.3% Yes - get rid of the clock changes
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58.7% No, I enjoy it
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2% Other - I'll share below
Alan and Hazel Kerr share Senior New Zealander of the Year Award 2026
Dr Alan and Hazel Kerr describe themselves as ‘just ordinary old Kiwis’, despite being named as the 2026 Ryman Healthcare Senior New Zealanders of the Year Te Mātāpuputu o te Tau.
The amazing couple prompted a standing ovation at a star-studded Auckland event which recognised their tireless efforts, with Alan travelling to and from Gaza and the West Bank 40 times to help children over 20 years, and Hazel travelling 20 times.
Click read more to find out more.
Happy Anniversary to Nancy and John!
Nancy and John Lawrence are celebrating their 60th wedding anniversary this weekend in Timaru.
Meeting by chance at a dance, the couple married in Oāmaru in 1966 and have lived in 14 houses over that time in both Ōamaru and Timaru.
John trained as an electrician while Nancy trained as a primary school teacher and did several jobs before going on to manage the South Canterbury Community College for 17 years.
They raised five children, ran the Rangitata Store in the early 1980s and John has also been a farmer. They now co-own Matai Nurseries in Waimate with their daughter and son-in-law and are kept busy travelling around and delivering plants.
“And when we said ‘til death do us part’, we meant it,’’ Nancy said.
You can read more about them in the article on The Press here.
Those are some great innings and we love to hear stories like these at Neighbourly!
Have you come across Nancy and John over the years, or are you nearing a big milestone like this?
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