Our Story
Kiwi Coffin Club Charitable Trust,
The club is run by a group of trustees and a committee of nine members. LocationWe operate from premises at 5 Ti St, Rotorua,Just around the corner from the Mad Butcher in Fenton St. Meeting DaysWe meet every Wednesday from 8.00 am until 1.00 pm but are frequently here subject to other work that needs to be done.
Our History
A Brief History of Kiwi Coffin Club Charitable Trust
The idea of making one’s own coffin was first proposed at a U3A meeting in Rotorua during 2009/10. In 2010, a group of like-minded people formed a club and began operating from a carport and garage at a private home. Their passion was to bring death to the forefront and encourage people to think about their end-of-life plans and how they would like their send-off to be.
By 2012, the group had grown and needed to formalize. This required a name, and thus, Kiwi Coffin Club was born. As the club continued to expand, a new operating venue was needed. To support growing operations and maintain running costs, the club decided to raise money. In 2016, Kiwi Coffin Club became a Charitable Trust, allowing them to accept and give donations from sales back into the community.
One of the club’s earliest community contributions was donating baby coffins to the neo-natal department at Rotorua Hospital, a practice that continues today. Additional donations now include memory boxes for the Little Love Foundation and pet coffins, with each pet coffin sale supporting the SPCA.
At the end of March 2018, the club’s founder resigned, and a new committee and panel of trustees were formed during the AGM that year. Six months later, the building they operated from was placed on the market, necessitating a move to new premises. They relocated to 5 Ti Street and transformed a warehouse into a purpose-built facility. This new location allowed the club to produce every coffin and casket professionally from start to finish under one roof. It includes a display room, comfortable office, and social area, catering to all their needs with dust-free bays for crafting.
Since January 1, 2019, the club has been fortunate to receive donations of a large sliding table saw machine, wood, paint, and finishing materials. They also have a storage area where completed coffins and caskets can be shrink-wrapped and stored on a long or short-term basis for a fee.
The club now boasts a strong committee and panel of trustees. Many of the original members are still active today, contributing to a united team that donates their time every Wednesday. This dedication enables the club to sell professionally finished coffins and caskets at a low price to consumers.
By 2012, the group had grown and needed to formalize. This required a name, and thus, Kiwi Coffin Club was born. As the club continued to expand, a new operating venue was needed. To support growing operations and maintain running costs, the club decided to raise money. In 2016, Kiwi Coffin Club became a Charitable Trust, allowing them to accept and give donations from sales back into the community.
One of the club’s earliest community contributions was donating baby coffins to the neo-natal department at Rotorua Hospital, a practice that continues today. Additional donations now include memory boxes for the Little Love Foundation and pet coffins, with each pet coffin sale supporting the SPCA.
At the end of March 2018, the club’s founder resigned, and a new committee and panel of trustees were formed during the AGM that year. Six months later, the building they operated from was placed on the market, necessitating a move to new premises. They relocated to 5 Ti Street and transformed a warehouse into a purpose-built facility. This new location allowed the club to produce every coffin and casket professionally from start to finish under one roof. It includes a display room, comfortable office, and social area, catering to all their needs with dust-free bays for crafting.
Since January 1, 2019, the club has been fortunate to receive donations of a large sliding table saw machine, wood, paint, and finishing materials. They also have a storage area where completed coffins and caskets can be shrink-wrapped and stored on a long or short-term basis for a fee.
The club now boasts a strong committee and panel of trustees. Many of the original members are still active today, contributing to a united team that donates their time every Wednesday. This dedication enables the club to sell professionally finished coffins and caskets at a low price to consumers.