Author

Francis Tipene

Francis and Kaiora Tipene are the proprietors of Tipene Funerals, a New Zealand funeral business based in Onehunga and Henderson, Auckland. Both hail from Northland, New Zealand - Francis from Pawerenga, Kaiora from Kataia. The now married couple met at Maori Teacher's Training College before embarking on life devoted to their passion for helping people at times of great need. In 2018 they starred in the first season of what the Spinoff called 'the greatest local comedy of 2018', The Casketeers. A third series of the show will run in 2020. Francis is a graduate of the WelTec Funeral Directors course and started in the industry over 15 years ago, working as duty driver in Auckland. Kaiora is also a qualified funeral director. Between them, they have five sons.