🕊️ Today’s Remembrances: Notices & Tributes 🕊️
View the latest Death Notices, In Memoriams, and Acknowledgements for the Southland region. Updated daily, Monday through Saturday.
🤝 A Free Service for Families We invite you to share your memories and thanks. Send your notices or acknowledgements to: 📧 [email protected]

BLACK, Julie Maxine (nee Boniface):
10th August 1969 – 21st January 2026
Unexpectedly passed away in the late evening of Tuesday 21st of January 2026, at the Emergency Department, Southland Hospital. Dearly loved mother of Matthew, cherished mother-in-law of Tessa, and adored Nanny of Sophie and Emily. Much loved sister of Philip, and loved daughter of the late Joan and the late William. Julie was well known and fondly remembered in the motorbike and stock car communities, where she spent many years catering and running the family food van. Known for her cheeky smile, bubbly personality, and big heart, Julie had a special way of making everyone feel welcome. Julie will be deeply missed by her family, friends, and all who knew her. A Memorial Service to celebrate Julie’s life will be held at J Fraser and Sons Chapel, on Saturday 31st January, at 11.00am. Messages to Julie's tribute page at frasersfunerals.co.nz/tributes
HOFFMAN, Noeleen Anne (nee Lee):
Passed away peacefully surrounded by her loving family at Southland Hospital on Thursday, December 25th, 2025, 92 orbits around the sun. Dearly loved and treasured wife, mother, mother-in-law, nana and great nana. As per Noeleen’s wishes, a private cremation has been held. A memorial service will be held on Tuesday February 3rd at 11.00am at St Mary’s Basilica, Tyne Street, Invercargill, with a private family interment at Southland Crematorium. Messages to 295 Kingsbury Avenue, Rangiora or to Noeleen’s tribute page at frasersfunerals.co.nz/tributes where her livestream link is available.
McMILLAN, Vicki Maria:
On Tuesday 20 January 2026, after a courageous and inspiring battle with cancer, and surrounded by her beautiful children, Vicki passed peacefully into God’s loving care. Aged 59 years. Much loved mother and mother-in-law of Jasmine and Ayson, Reuben and Liana, Jamaine, Georgia and Jack. Treasured nana of Alexis, Amelia, Arlo, Marlow and Jovie. Loved daughter of the late Mervyn and the late Gweneth McMillan. Dearly loved sister and sister-in-law of Paul and Tina, Lyneen and Michael, and the late Mark. A much-loved aunty, niece, cousin, and a very special friend to her faith family and many others whose lives she touched.
“Don’t worry, be happy.”
A service to celebrate Vicki’s life will be held at Four Winds Farm, 27 Shanks Road, Tuturau, on Sunday, 25 January 2026, commencing at 12.00 noon. Her final service will be held at the Southland Crematorium Chapel, Rockdale Road, Invercargill, on Monday, 26 January 2026, at 1.00pm. A livestream of Sunday’s service will be available at mwfunerals.co.nz/s/vicki. Vicki will be resting at home until Saturday, then she will be at Four Winds Farm until 11.00am Monday. Messages to the “McMillan family” can be sent to PO Box 632, Invercargill 9840, or left on Vicki’s tribute page at mwfunerals.co.nz/s/vicki.
PAISLEY, Peter:
It is with deep sadness we announce the passing of Peter Paisley on Wednesday, 21 January 2026. Dearly loved husband and soulmate of Glenice. Loved stepfather of Derek and Rachel Salton. Loved father of Sharon, the late Jason, and Damian Paisley. Loved brother-in-law of Lyn and Robert Evans, Pauline McLeod, and Morton and Jo MacIntosh. In accordance with Peter’s wishes, his body has been donated to the Anatomy Department, Otago University, for research. Messages to 52 David Street, Invercargill, or may be left on Peter's tribute page at distinctfunerals.co.nz
Sail away to your heart’s content.
PEARS, Robin Christie:
Robin sadly passed away on Tuesday 20 January, 2026, at Southland Hospital; 3 days short of his 92nd birthday. Dearly loved husband for 62 years of Alison and much loved father and father-in-law of Liz and David Thomas, Rosie, Susan and Brian Powell, and Philippa. Much loved grandfather of Peter, Sarah, Emily, Renee, Ruby and the late Holly and great grandfather of Spencer and Meredith and a loved uncle. A service to celebrate Rob’s life will be held on Monday 26 January at 11.30am in J Fraser & Sons’ Chapel cnr Esk and Doon Street, Invercargill, followed by an interment at Mossburn Cemetery. Approximate arrival time 3.15pm. In lieu of flowers, a donation to St Johns Ambulance kindly accepted and may be left at the service. Messages to Unit 48, 211 Racecourse Road, Invercargill 9810 or on Robin's tribute Page at frasersfunerals.co.nz/tribute where a livestream is available.
Acknowledgements and Memoriam's:
BATES, James:
Sandra, Tony, Nathan, Greg and their families would like to express sincere thanks for the many acts of kindness, messages of sympathy, flowers, food that was dropped off and for those that attended and spoke at Jim's funeral. Your support during this difficult time was a great comfort. Special thanks to Sally and Sandy at J Frasers & Sons for their special care during this difficult time. Please accept this as a personal acknowledgement of thanks.
BOYT, David:
On January 19, 2026; aged 83 years. Cherished companion and partner of Janine Plank-Boyt, loved father of Warren (USA), Gareth (Auckland), and Rhys and Justin (Invercargill). Much loved Poppa and great-grandpoppa to his many whānau. The world will be a much sadder place with the loss of this gentle and loving man. A service to celebrate David's life will be held in the Roxburgh Bowling Club, 3 Berwick Street, Roxburgh at 3.00pm, on February 8, 2026.
BUCHANAN, Mabel:
Peacefully on Monday, January 19, 2026; 118 days short of her 100th Birthday. Wife of the late Bill. Cherished mother and mother-in-law of Tony and Anne, Carol and the late Brendon, Barry and Gail, and Wendy. Treasured Nana May to all of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. As May's wish, a private service has been held. Messages to: The Buchanan Family, 102 Shearman Street, Waimate 7924.
BUNGARD, Leslie:
"The Waihola Hill Billy", peacefully at home surrounded by his loving family, on Tuesday, January 20, 2026, aged 69 years young. Loved and devoted long-time partner of Jennie Buchanan, dearly loved father of *Shane, Joseph, * Karl, Stephen Hislop; Abigail Barker, Shaun Bungard-Buchanan, Selina Bungard-Buchanan. Adored Grandfather of Priscilla Bungard, Aleiya Buchanan-McKenzie, Isabelle Buchanan-McKenzie, Mary Harborne, Madison Bungard-Buchanan, Layton Barker, Lachlan Bungard-Buchanan, Lucas Barker. Father-in-law of Rosalina Muraahi, Justin Barker and Sara Hislop. Dearly beloved son of *David and *Olga, brother and brother-in-law of Graham and Fay Wali, Philip and Sandra, Paul, Keith, *Geoffrey, and *Michael. Loved by all his nieces and nephews. A service to celebrate LJ's life, will be held on Friday, January 30, at 1.00pm, in the Waihola Presbyterian Church, 5 Kilgour Street, Waihola, followed by the interment at the Waihola Cemetery where he will be laid to rest with Karl. Thereafter refreshments will be in the Waihola Hall. Family warmly invites all those who care and visited Dad over the recent months with his illness. A special thank you to Dr Brent Wishart, Dr David Clarke, Dr Owen Ratigan, Dunedin Hospital Staff, Otago Community Hospice, District Nursing, and Access Staff for all their wonderful care of Les throughout his illness. Donations may kindly be left at the service for Otago Community Hospice. Messages to: 8 Green Street Mosgiel 9024.
(*denotes deceased).
KAHUKURA, James:
Passed unexpectedly on January 19, 2026, surrounded by his loving family; aged 62 years. Loved son of the late Hohepa and Henrieta Kahukura, loved and cherished brother, cousin, father, grandfather, uncle, great-uncle, and friend to many. Until we meet again. RIP. A service to celebrate Jame's life will be held at the Omakau Rugby Clubrooms, at 11.00am on Monday, January 26, followed by burial at the Drybread Cemetery. Donations to the Able Charitable Trust and the Brain Injury Association would be appreciated and may be left at the service. Messages to The Kahukura family, PO Box 79, Omakau.
McLELLAN, Alex:
Kim, Jade, Travis, Isaiah & Whanau
invite family & friends
to the Unveiling of our beloved
Alex (MAC) McLellan
Saturday 7 February 2026
12pm at Balclutha Lawn
McMILLAN, Vicki:
On Tuesday, January 20, 2026, after a courageous and inspiring battle with cancer, and surrounded by her beautiful children, Vicki passed peacefully into God's loving care. Aged 59 years. Much loved mother and mother-in-law of Jasmine and Ayson, Reuben and Liana, Jamaine, Georgia and Jack. Treasured nana of Alexis, Amelia, Arlo, Marlow and Jovie. Loved daughter of the late Mervyn and the late Gweneth McMillan. Dearly loved sister and sister-in-law of Paul and Tina, Lyneen and Michael, and the late Mark. A much-loved aunty, niece, cousin, and a very special friend to her faith family and many others whose lives she touched. "Don't worry, be happy."
A service to celebrate Vicki's life will be held at Four Winds Farm, 27 Shanks Road, Tuturau, on Sunday, January 25, 2026, commencing at 12.00 noon. Her final service will be held at the Southland Crematorium Chapel, Rockdale Road, Invercargill, on Monday, January 26, 2026, at 1.00pm. A livestream of Sunday's service will be available at mwfunerals.co.nz/s/vicki. Vicki will be resting at home until Saturday, then she will be at Four Winds Farm until 11.00am Monday. Messages to the "McMillan family" can be sent to PO Box 632, Invercargill 9840, or left on Vicki's tribute page at mwfunerals.co.nz/s/vicki.
PAISLEY, Peter:
It is with deep sadness we announce the passing of Peter Paisley on Wednesday, January 21, 2026. Dearly loved husband and soulmate of Glenice. Loved stepfather of Derek and Rachel Salton. Loved father of Sharon, the late Jason, and Damian Paisley. Loved brother-in-law of Lyn and Robert Evans, Pauline McLeod, and Morton and Jo MacIntosh. In accordance with Peter's wishes, his body has been donated to the Anatomy Department, Otago University, for research. Messages to 52 David Street, Invercargill, or may be left on Peter's tribute page at distinctfunerals.co.nz
Sail away to your heart's content.
PEARS, Robin:
Robin sadly passed away on Tuesday, January 20, 2026, at Southland Hospital; 3 days short of his 92nd birthday. Dearly loved husband for 62 years of Alison, and much loved father and father-in-law of Liz and David Thomas, Rosie, Susan and Brian Powell, and Philippa. Much loved grandfather of Peter, Sarah, Emily, Renee, Ruby, and the late Holly, great-grandfather of Spencer and Meredith, and a loved uncle. A service to celebrate Rob's life will be held on Monday, January 26 at 11.30am in J Fraser & Sons' Chapel, cnr Esk and Doon Streets, Invercargill, followed by an interment at Mossburn Cemetery. Approximate arrival time 3.15pm. In lieu of flowers, a donation to St John Ambulance kindly accepted and may be left at the service. Messages to Unit 48, 211 Racecourse Road, Invercargill 9810 or on Robin's tribute page at frasersfunerals.co.nz/tribute where a livestream is available.
SHIRLEY ROBYNNE, (née Hopcroft):
14 August 1941 – 20 November 2025
The family of Robynne, dearly loved as Mum and Gran, sincerely thank everyone for the kindness, love, and support shown to us during this sad time. We are deeply grateful for the cards, messages, visits, flowers, meals and thoughtful gestures that brought comfort and reminded us how loved she was. In her final weeks, we were surrounded by the unwavering support of family who helped care for Mum, for which we are truly thankful. Your compassion and kindness will always be held close in our hearts. With love and gratitude. Greg, Darryl and Theresa (Alexandra), Diane and Steve Sandron (Brisbane), Louise and Terry Forde (Benmore) her 10 grandchildren, and 6 great-grandchildren.
Acknowledgements and Memoriam's:
WINDLE, John:
5.11.2025
Marilyn, Brendan and Sean would like to sincerely thank everyone for the kind messages, cards, flowers, food and visits following the passing of John. We are especially grateful to all who attended his celebration of life and sharing their memories with us. Our appreciation is extended to Gore Hospital, District Nurses, Hospice Nurses, and Rob from Southern Funeral Home for the exceptional compassion and support shown to our family. John will be/is deeply missed by us all and remembered for his warmth generosity and wonderful sense of humour. As many addresses are unknown and too many to reply to individually, please accept this as our personal expression of gratitude and love.