Geoff joined the funeral industry in Hamilton at the completion of high school as a trainee embalmer and completed his qualification in embalming in Wellington in 2002. Geoff loved his time in Wellington so much that he made the move and joined our company in 2003. He completed his funeral directing qualification the following year.
Geoff served on the Executive Committee of the New Zealand Embalmers Association for many years, serving as the President for two terms.
Geoff enjoys the variety the funeral industry provides and loves walking the journey through a personalised, meaningful funeral with families, whatever form that might take. He has a passion for the ever-changing technology in the industry and enjoys helping the local community through education, he’s always happy to share his knowledge.
Geoff’s interests include all sports (especially rugby and league), exercise, travel, music & podcasts, but most of his spare time is spent with his partner and three daughters. On a Saturday you will find him at his beloved Poneke Football (Rugby) Club where is currently volunteering as a Board Member.
email: geoff@funeral-link.co.nz
After a personal experience in her late teens, Ruth aspired to help others in the same way a funeral director supported her. Knowing she needed to gain life experience first, the following years proved invaluable through having to run a home from a young age, a 2 ½ year move to the Himalayan Mountains in India and loads of travel to foreign places in between.
Ruth returned from overseas to care for a family member. She later joined Harbour City as a Funeral Director in early 2014 equipped with a cultured balance of life skills, compassion, a zest to learn and the want to serve her community. She enjoys a good laugh, values people from every walk of life and has a humanistic approach as problems are opportunities to learn.
Ruth is happily married and outside of work loves tending to her ‘as close to India’ slice of life in Ōhau.
email: ruth@funeral-link.co.nz
Eva grew up on Auckland’s West Coast with Muriwai Beach in her backyard. She comes from a long line of nurses, so from a young age she knew she wanted to work in a role which saw her caring for people in some capacity.
Eva completed a Bachelor of Arts majoring in Psychology and English at Massey University and it was her desire to continue learning and helping others that got her into the funeral industry in 2014.
Relocating to Pōneke Wellington in 2019, Eva joined the esteemed Harbour City Funeral Home, where her dedication and empathy have made her an integral part of the team. Currently pursuing a diploma in Funeral Directing with Te Pūkenga/NZ Institute of Skills and Technology, Eva is further honing her expertise to provide solace and support during challenging times.
Beyond her professional pursuits, Eva leads a multifaceted life. Her love for the great outdoors translates into hiking adventures, while her passion for community-driven activities shines through her involvement with Pōneke Watersports Dragon Boat Club. A voracious reader, a culinary enthusiast, and an aspiring seamstress, Eva's diverse interests mirror her dynamic personality.
In the spirit of giving back, Eva helps with cookathons for Bellyful Wellington South, a charity close to her heart. Through this involvement, she actively contributes to the organization's mission of nourishing and connecting communities by preparing and delivering free meals to families with babies or young children who require extra support.
Eva's journey is a testament to her unwavering commitment to both personal growth and community well-being. As she continues to evolve in her roles, both professionally and philanthropically, Eva remains dedicated to the values instilled in her by her family and upbringing—an ethos centered around compassion, learning, and the profound impact of genuine care.
email: eva@funeral-link.co.nz
Brad attended Campion College, a Catholic co-educational college before moving to Auckland to study Social Work. He graduated in 1999 with a Bachelor of Social Work from Massey University. He joined the funeral industry in 2001 as a trainee embalmer and now holds both the National Certificate in Embalming and the National Certificate in Funeral Directing.
Brad holds customer service as a high ideal. "Our role is very flexible, some families want us to take care of all the finer details, while others are very hands-on. I enjoy the diverse types of people that I meet and being of assistance at a time that can be very stressful for families."
email: brad@funeral-link.co.nz
Growing up in Upper Hutt, I had a wonderful childhood filled with fun and adventure. I was actively involved in various sports and enjoyed playing musical instruments, both in orchestras and on the electric guitar as I got older.
In my mid-teens, I got my first after-school part-time job at a local grocery store, where I loved interacting with new people. Throughout the years, I often contemplated what I wanted to do with my life. While working in the service and grocery industries for several decades, I always had a passion for becoming a funeral director. I felt that this profession would allow me to utilise all of my skills and make a meaningful impact on others' lives. I am grateful for the opportunity that has now presented itself, and I am eagerly looking forward to providing assistance to those in the community who are in need of creating a meaningful farewell.
email: blair@funeral-link.co.nz
Based in Upper Hutt, Wellington, with roots tracing back to the sunny Hawkes Bay. Over the past 15 years, I've called Wellington home, a city that has not only shaped my professional journey but also provided a vibrant backdrop to my personal life.
With two grown-up children who have added joy to my life, family remains at the core of everything I do. With over 30 years of experience in the healthcare sector, my journey has been a diverse one, marked by a passion to serve and comfort those in need.
My pivot to the funeral industry represents the realization of a longstanding aspiration. Guiding families through challenging times, providing solace, and ensuring a dignified farewell has become my calling. It's a privilege to contribute to the meaningful transition from loss to remembrance.
I find solace in the simple pleasures of life. Whether it's the wind in my hair as I navigate the open roads on our motorcycle, tending to the serenity of my garden, or immersing myself in a good book, I cherish the balance between the gravity of my work and the lightness that these moments bring.
Community is close to my heart, and I actively support local charities as a token of gratitude to the community that has embraced me. Life, in its various forms, is a tapestry woven with connections, and I find great joy in spending time with friends and family, creating memories that endure beyond the passage of time.
email: larissa@funeral-link.co.nz
Yelena's journey began in Russia before she was embraced into a loving family with two remarkable parents in New Zealand, where she spent most of her younger years growing up in Whitby/Porirua. Wellington, with its amazing places and communities, will always be her home.
A list of her passions and hobbies include; sewing, drawing, crafting, DIY projects, gaming, making music and caring for her adorable pet Guinea Pigs Louie and Ziggy is always good fun and relaxing. Following her graduation from Kapiti College, with multiple aspirations and talents, Yelena found herself unsure of her academic path. This resulted in her jumping into the workforce, where through a diverse array of roles, she discovered her true calling lay in aiding others. Yelena found herself captivated by anatomy and the marvels of physiological processes. Fueled by a desire to learn and with natural empathy, jumping on board with the Harbour City family, made sense.
Born in Rotterdam, The Netherlands, Danny arrived in the Hutt Valley in 1983. He attended Hutt Intermediate and finished his schooling at Hutt Valley High School in 1992.
In February 1993 Danny started with Harbour City Funeral Home, Kilbirnie on a three-month trial period and decided to stay on. Danny completed the Embalming course in 1995, achieving the top theory and top overall student for that year. In 1997, he became fully qualified by completing the Funeral Directors Course and attaining the Diploma in Funeral Services.
Since starting in 1993, Danny has had numerous roles within the company, periodically moving to and from other branches to fulfil those roles. For nearly 6 years; Danny served on the Funeral Service Training Trust (FSTT) as the rep for NZ Funeral Director’s Association.- FSTT was the body that had developed the Funeral Directing and Embalming Qualifications and was responsible for funeral service education in NZ.
Danny has always resided in Lower Hutt and was a keen football player, till age and injury told him a different story. Now he spends his time being an uber driver with his high-school sweetheart wife, to their four daughters and their very busy dance and social schedules.
email: danny@funeral-link.co.nz
Anthea attended Kāpiti College, leaving to work in banking, where over many years, she worked her way up through the various roles, from a teller position to ultimately becoming Branch Manager.
The death of Anthea's father in 2017 prompted her to reevaluate her life and she decided to pursue a long-held interest in the funeral industry. She has worked as a funeral director since and achieved the Certificate in funeral directing in 2019. Anthea feels incredibly privileged to be able to help and support people through the days following the death of a loved one.
In her spare time, Anthea enjoys spending time with her husband, Glen, her two daughters, and two granddaughters.
She is also an avid reader and traveller; when not travelling, she researches and plans her next adventure.
email: anthea@funeral-link.co.nz
Rob brings a diverse background to his new role in the funeral industry. He has successfully navigated roles in hospitality ownership with his restaurant Capitol and project management, showcasing his versatile skill set and leadership abilities. In his previous ventures, he demonstrated a strong commitment to customer satisfaction and project excellence.
Rob is a dedicated family man whose enthusiasm for life is extended to the great outdoors. He’s often found unwinding with his 2 boys mountain biking the awesome trail network in Wellington.
His new path in the funeral industry feels a positive fit where he brings his solid management expertise and compassionate approach to help families during their most challenging times. His transition into this field reflects his deep empathy and desire to make a meaningful difference in people's lives. With his caring nature and extensive experience, Rob continues to positively impact those around him, proving that his dedication to both family and community comes front and center.
email: rob@funeral-link.co.nz
Shelley was born in Nelson but grew up in Upper Hutt. After working out of the Wellington region for a couple of years, Shelley has returned to work in the Hutt Valley at Harbour City Funeral Home.
Shelley has two amazing adult children. Her son lives in the UK and her daughter lives just down the road from her home with her two granddaughters who she adores and loves spending time with.
Shelley has been in the funeral industry for 18 years, Shelley is a qualified embalmer and is now a funeral director, which she is incredibly passionate about. Shelley understands the importance of being there for bereaved families in their time of need.
Outside of work, Shelley loves spending time with family and friends. In her spare time, she enjoys climbing the escarpment track, and attempting to beat her previous time. Biking, taking ride classes and going to cafes on a Sunday morning.
email: shelley@funeral-link.co.nz
Sheryl has held an Accounts and Administration role with the company since October 2004.
She really cares about being able to help families wherever she can as they prepare for a funeral. After the funeral, Sheryl is always happy to help our client family’s deal with banks, lawyers and agencies like WINZ and ACC for funeral grants when families are not able to, or the process just seems too difficult.
Emma graduated from Massey University in 2010 with an Honours degree in Visual Communication Design, and also gained membership into the International Society of Typographic Designers. Membership is awarded to practicing designers who demonstrate, through the quality of their work, their commitment to achieving the highest possible standard of visual communication.
Emma is very passionate about her design work, with technical strengths in typography and graphic design. “I strive to achieve consistently high level results that meet requirements to the best of my ability”.
Anna, a Belgian native, moved to New Zealand in 2019 to live with her Kiwi partner. She first worked as a rest home caregiver and later as a support worker for people with disabilities (caring for others being a common theme and value).
Next to her work, Anna had also developed a curiosity for end-of-life and grief-related subjects dating back to her study of philosophy and psychology back home. This led to part-time work as a lifter at a local funeral home, which she found an intriguing and rewarding experience.
Her introduction to the funeral industry, combined with her previous experience of providing care to individuals and families in need, led Anna to joining Harbour City as a trainee embalmer in September 2022.
In her free time, Anna enjoys a good book (not always death-related), crocheting, and going for walks in the beautiful city she now calls home. Occasionally, you may also find her singing and playing the guitar.
Born and raised as a farm girl in Wanganui, Pamela decided to experience city life and moved to Wellington in her teen years.
With an entrepreneurial spirit, Pamela, alongside her husband, have flourished as the proud owners of a thriving bakery and café business in Wellington for over 24 years.
Beyond her professional endeavours, Pamela has generously and passionately supported and contributed to many local charities.
An empathy for people and the desire to do something truly meaningful, has driven her pivot to the funeral industry. It is an honour and privilege to work with families and be part of the Harbour City team.
Family lies at the core of her being; she finds immense joy in her marriage and cherishes the bond with her son. Embracing the rustic charm of country living, Pamela finds solace and fulfillment in tending to her farm in Te Horo, where she nurtures her love for horses and the outdoors. Whether she's spending quality time with her equine companions or racing down the expressway tracks driving her carriage pony Pumpkin, Pamela finds peace and joy in the simple pleasures of life and a quality craft Beer!
Pamela stands as a testament to the harmonious blend of hard work, compassion, and a zest for life.
Barry was born in the Hutt Valley and educated at Stokes Valley School, Taita Intermediate and Heretaunga College. He joined his father in the family funeral business in 1978. Barry qualified as an embalmer and funeral director, attaining the New Zealand Certificate in Funeral Service, then went on to pass his British exams, being admitted to the British Institute of Embalmers in 1985. Barry remained in the family business for 23 years until it was sold to an overseas corporation. After a period away from funeral directing, Barry returned to the industry in 2014, as his passion for this profession had never left him. With over 30 years experience as a funeral director, Barry loves the interaction with client families and the assistance he is able to offer them through difficult times.
Barry, and his wife, Lynn, have four children and 3 beautiful granddaughters, whom they love spending time with. In his spare time Barry loves cooking, gardening, travel and his beloved Buick Roadmaster.
email: barry@funeral-link.co.nz
I grew up in the Hawkes Bay and moved to Wellington just over 30 years ago.
I had an interesting career journey starting as an apprentice hairdresser when I left school. I continued hairdressing for 18 years, 7 of which I had my own salon.
As my young family became teens (I have 2 daughters and a son), I gave up the long hours and retrained as a florist.
When they all flew the nest, I found my way into the funeral care industry and knew straight away this was where I wanted to be.
When my sister-in-law passed away, I cared for her and the family and I knew Funeral Directing was for me.
I live on the sunny Kapiti Coast and spend as much time at the beach as I can. I love fishing and snorkeling and walking along the beautiful coastline.
My other hobbies include gardening and home improvements. I’ve always got a project (or two!) on the go.
I’m looking forward to my time at Harbour City and know I’ve made a great move.
email: michelle@funeral-link.co.nz
Frank joined the funeral industry in Wellington for the first time in 2007 from having worked in pastoral work for 15 years and supporting people in the community. The industry was a natural fit for him.
He moved to Wellington after having spent time in these roles in various locations around the country including Northland, Otago, Wellington, Gisborne, and Rotorua.
Since then, Frank has had a couple of different roles within the industry, being a Funeral Director from 2007 - 2010. He then took on the role of casket trimmer and car valet part-time, while working as a mental health support worker. He now is working with the funeral home as the Crematorium Operator and Funeral Home Assistant.
Frank enjoys time with his sons and grandson; tinkering around the house, doing odd jobs (he’s quite the handyman), watching movies, going fishing, exercising and biking.
Frank has a couple of Bichon Frieze dogs whom he loves dearly, he takes immense pride in their grooming, so much so that he now has a side hustle of grooming dogs for friends’ and the wider eastern suburbs community.
Sheryl Wright (nee Wooller)
Was born in Wellington and educated at Kilbirnie School and Wellington East Girl’s College.
Sheryl has been on the fringe of the funeral industry for 51 years as her husband was previously a funeral director, they have two adult children, seven grand-children and four great grand-children.
In August of 1994 she joined Harbour City Funeral Home to assist in the administration side of the company, after several months she was invited to add to her role the challenge of becoming a funeral director.
Over the past 28 years, Sheryl has seen the company grow, not only in professionally trained staff but also in the changes in facilities, client choices, and the bereavement support we offer to our clients.
Working throughout the different branches enables Sheryl to assist clients with on going support and assistance, which she enjoys.
Having the life experiences first-hand of being a friend, wife, mother, nana, and also having experienced first-hand the loss of those closest to her, she has a real empathy to those who she comes into contact with.
Sheryl’s personal time is spent with her family, as they conveniently live in the Wellington region.
Kima was born in Lower Hutt and attended Otonga Primary School in Maungaraki where many of his family still reside. He attended Hutt Valley High School, as did a number of his cousins and siblings, ending his time there in 1991.
Brought up in a deeply religious Pacifica household, he developed a reverence for loved ones that had passed, an empathy for those they leave behind and for the people that step up to offer support in those moments. After a combined 20 years in predominantly sales roles within IT wholesale distribution, his interest in the funeral industry landed him in a brief trainee role at a funeral home in 2020 which paved the way for a trainee embalmer position with Harbour City Funeral Home.
From their home in Porirua East, Kima along with his wife of 23 years Eunice, their two adult sons and teenage daughter enjoy spending time together with their extended Tokelau and Samoa families, often over hearty meals, music and lots of laughter.
email: Kima@funeral-link.co.nz
Gemma was born in the Hutt Valley and attended Totara Park School, St. Joseph’s School for her intermediate years and then onto Upper Hutt College. Gemma had always had an interest in the funeral profession due to her strong family connection – Her great-grandfather, grandfather and father were all funeral directors before her and this ignited her passion. After studying and attaining her NZ Certificate in Sports Science and NZ Diploma in Legal Executive Studies and a stint as a professional squash coach in Guatemala, in 2017, Gemma decided the time was right to join the funeral profession as an embalmer. This was certainly all that she had hoped for and takes pride in being able to give the bereaved the opportunity of spending time and saying their farewells to their loved ones.
When Gemma is not embalming she can be found walking the many beautiful bushwalks of the area with her partner Luke and two beautiful daughters, Kora and Quinn. Or teaching a pilates class, coaching or playing squash, or putting the finishing touches to her new home.
Simon spent his early years in Belmont, Petone and Lower Hutt, being educated at Belmont Primary, Wilford and Waterloo Schools prior to Hutt Intermediate and then Hutt Valley Memorial Technical College.
Simon's grandparents died when he was at College and from that point, he knew that the funeral profession was where he wanted to be. Simon managed to obtain a part-time position with a company in Wellington and upon leaving school started permanently with that company.
After 9 years with that company, in 1989, he decided to open Harbour City Funeral Home. Simon is a qualified embalmer and funeral director and has taken on roles to encourage and train people who like himself choose the funeral directing role to serve others.
Within the funeral world, Simon leads the New Zealand Funeral Directors response in disaster situations and in 2022 in the Platinum Jubilee Queens Birthday celebrations he was awarded a QSO to recognise this work. This specialist work has seen Simon deployed in Nauru, Africa, Indonesia, Malaysia, and The Netherlands as well as being responsible for managing the New Zealand funeral professions response to the Christchurch Earthquake, the Mosque Shootings, the Whakaari White Island Eruption. In 2020 he was recognised by NZ Defence for his work in the repatriation of 35 service personnel from 6 different countries. This remains one of Simon’s proudest achievements.
Simon is a keen Rotarian and has taken on various roles within Rotary including the role of District Governor for the Lower North Island. Rotary’s motto of Service Above Self, fits well with who Simon is.
Simon mixes his time between Wellington and the Kāpiti Coast, anyone who knows Simon, knows he loves his role as a funeral director. Making a difference and helping others is what it is all about for Simon
Harbour City Crematorium Chapel
Wellington
56 Onepu Road, Kilbirnie
Phone: 04 387 8301
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Cockburn Street Chapel
Wellington
Cnr Onepu Road & Cockburn St, Kilbirnie
Phone: 04 387 8301
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High Street Chapel
Lower Hutt
665 High Street, Lower Hutt
Phone: 04 570 0111
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Fergusson Drive Chapel
Upper Hutt
Cnr Ward Street & Fergusson Drive
Phone: 04 528 8924
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Kāpiti Road Chapel
Paraparaumu
300 Kāpiti Road, Paraparaumu
Phone: 04 298 4888
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