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Who we are
ko wai mātau
Hei Aotearoa hou me mahi tahi tātau hai tiaki i te whenua
- as New Zealanders we must work together to protect the land -
Our mission is to create a community of support for natural organic reduction that promotes the benefits of this sustainable and dignified end-of-life option. We believe that by coming together we can raise awareness about the environmental impact of traditional burial and cremation methods and provide education on the benefits of natural organic reduction.
Our goal is to create a network of individuals and organizations who are committed to promoting sustainable end-of-life practices and advocating for the rights of individuals to choose a dignified and environmentally supportive alternative.
We are dedicated to providing resources, support, and education to families who choose natural organic reduction and to building a movement that transforms death into a regenerative process that honours both the individual and the environment.
-Glenn Mitchell & Vicky Field
Kua hua te marama
A full cycle has been completed
- Māori whakataukī (proverb)
Glenn Mitchell
Post Grad Intensive Care Paramedic
Paramedic Lecturer
Certificate in Embalming CIT
Former Funeral Director & Embalmer
As a Kiwi born and raised in the Bay of Plenty, my direct maternal lineage can be traced to Nga Puhi, and other ancestral links are to Norway, Holland, England, Scotland, Ireland, and Wales.
My interest in funeral directing and embalming began with work experience in 1983 whilst still at high school, and this began a career spanning 15 years in the industry, including qualifying as an embalmer in 1991.
In 1996 I took a change in direction and qualified as an Intensive Care Paramedic, working in the Wellington region. In 2007 I became a lecturer in a BHSc (Paramedic) degree programme at Whitireia NZ, a position I still hold today.
Funeral directing has never been far from my heart, however, and I have maintained close links with the industry over the years. I returned to funeral directing for a couple of years in 2019-2021, which included the interesting and challenging Covid-19 response period. During this time, I became acutely aware of the desire there is for change amongst the public with regard to funerals; families and individuals frequently seeking more ‘natural’ options for final disposition, and opting for diverse, more personalised ways to celebrate a person's life.
This desire for alternatives and a concern for how we affect our environment has led me to believe that natural organic reduction is a viable and appealing option that should be made available in New Zealand alongside contemporary funerary practices of burial and cremation.
Vicky
Field
Registered Paramedic
Paramedic Lecturer
BHSc Paramedicine
BA History & Religious
Studies
I am a registered Paramedic, teacher and mother with a strong passion for helping families cope with the difficult process of saying goodbye to their loved ones.
In my 20's I had planned to become an embalmer however after seeing paramedics attending to a close friend I decided to train as a paramedic. During my career as an emergency paramedic, I gained valuable experience in providing care and support during times of crisis.
I became inspired to share my knowledge and skills with the next generation of paramedics and transitioned into the role of paramedic lecturer.
Throughout life I have found myself coming back to the idea of caring for the deceased many times and when Glenn brought up the topic of terramation, I knew that was where I wanted to be.
As a devoted mother to my young daughter, I am driven by the belief that we must do more to protect the environment for future generations. I am particularly passionate about the concept of terramation, a more eco-friendly alternative to traditional burial methods.
With a deep love for my country and a desire to make a positive impact, my ultimate goal is to bring terramation to Aotearoa and provide families with a meaningful, sustainable way to say goodbye to their loved ones.
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Tane
Rangihuna
Ki te taha o tāku pāpā
Ko Hikurangi te Maunga
Ko Waiapu te Awa
Ko Horouta te Waka
Ko Te whānau a Hinerupe, Te Whānau a Tuwhakairiora me Te Whānau a Putaanga nga hapu
Ko Ngāti Porou te Iwi
Ki te taha o tāku māmā
Ko Rangiahua te Maunga
Ko Wainui te Awa
Ko Tainui te Waka
Ko Ngai Tai ki Torere te Iwi
Ko Torere-nui-a rua te tangata
