DAVIS FUNERALS - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Funeral Director
- Mortuary Services Manager and Embalmer
Aaron has been a funeral director and embalmer for over 25 years. He's worked in New Zealand and overseas and in both family and corporate owned businesses. For Aaron, his work is all about making a painful experience a little easier. Outside of work Aaron enjoys music and family holidays.
Alana joined the team at Davis in early 2023 after more than a decade working in operations management and leadership in the not-for-profit sector. She has also been involved with supporting bereaved families following the loss of a baby. She enjoys bringing her varied skills and experience to her role, and considers it a privilege to guide families as they farewell their loved ones. In her spare time Alana enjoys reading, cooking, bush walks and spending time with family and friends.
Job Titles:
- Branch Manager - Henderson / Funeral Director
Andrea has been involved in a number of varied roles throughout the years from being a mum to three amazing teenagers to town planning, living in London and working in the financial sector to establishing her own baking business. Andrea thrives on the interaction you get when helping people. She has always gained great satisfaction in being involved with events and giving back to the community. After losing her father she saw the importance of having the right person to help manage and navigate through a challenging and, if done well, a rewarding time. This was the catalyst for her move into the funeral industry. Andrea is now the branch manager of our Central Park Drive branch.
Job Titles:
- Training and Logistics Manager
Ayrton began his career in South Africa in 2009 after a long family history within the industry. He arrived in New Zealand in October 2019 and joined the Davis team in January 2020. Supporting families and providing the highest level of service every time are two things Ayrton is committed to. Outside of work, Ayrton enjoys golf, rugby, cricket and spending time with his fiance Caitlin.
Brent's been with us for many years. Even after retiring from funeral directing, he's still motivated to jump out of bed in the morning and be part of the Davis team. Therefore Brent is now our caretaker, working across all of our branches making sure everything is 'ticketyboo'. Outside of Davis, Brent and his family work through the Salvation Army and can be found holidaying in their very special spot in the Coromandel.
Since February 2011, Bruce has been a part of the Davis team. He brings many years of experience, including time at National Bank. Born and bred on the 'sunset coast' of Waiuku, he has a wide range of activities that end in ‘ing' that he participates in. From gardening, fishing and diving to hiking and hunting.
Christian undertook work experience in a funeral home during his last year of school. Once his education was complete, he joined the funeral industry for good. When he's not working for Davis, Christian loves to travel. A Brit by birth, he's been a New Zealander since he was 2 years old and is fluent in Kiwi-isms.
Cristina was born and raised in Lisbon, Portugal and moved to NZ in 2008. She's held varied roles in her lifetime, from spatial design, event catering and hospitality to volunteering at Playcentre and being a full-time mum to 3 children. Cristina feels it's an honour to be working in funeral care and to be able to support families at such a difficult time. Outside of work she enjoys spending time with her family at the beach or in the garden, trying new recipes and listening to music.
Dale is usually your first point of contact at our Pakuranga branch. Due to her own personal losses and having spent time with terminally ill children and their bereaved parents, she has an understanding and empathy with grieving families. She believes it's a privilege to be of service to families at such a difficult time. Dale's weekends are often spent being the team photographer at her grown children's various sporting and academic events.
Job Titles:
- Administration Team Manager / Funeral Director
Dani started in the funeral industry in 2017 and instantly knew that funeral directing was her calling. She finds it very special to work alongside families at the most delicate of times. Outside of work, being a mother of 2 keeps her very busy but she still finds time to enjoy her friends and other family as well as watching league and listening to music.
Job Titles:
- Receptionist - Kohimarama
Denise joined Davis a few years ago after spending 10 years as a full-time mum. Her varied work experience, which mainly involved working with people but also included time spent travelling and living abroad, set her on her career path of helping others in a rewarding and meaningful way. You will find Denise as your first point of contact at our Kohimarama branch. In her spare time, Denise loves going to the gym and using her creative side by painting and visiting galleries.
Dianne Troup approaches the Littles to take over Troup funeral home in Papatoetoe, South Auckland as she retires.
In the leafy grounds of the Church of St Thomas' in Kohimarama, this funeral home serves the Eastern Bays and surrounding communities.
In the grounds of a Kohimarama church, this is a modern funeral home.
Elbè is a recent graduate from Yoobee School of Design. She has a passion for graphic design and helping others. She takes great care in her role when helping families as she knows that the funeral arrangements are an important part of farewelling a loved one. In her spare time Elbè likes to illustrate and play video games
Job Titles:
- Funeral Director 's Assistant
After personal experience with grief, Giorgia finds it rewarding working in the funeral industry and being able to empathise with the families she helps. When she's not at work, Giorgia likes listening to music, exploring new places, fine wine and dining, or just lying in the sun.
Irene started in the funeral industry in 2007, prior to that she worked in travel for 15 years. Irene has been involved in the Auckland District FDANZ for many years in positions of Secretary, Vice Chair and now Chair. Growing up in the country, Irene loves boating and the outdoors but also has interests in reading and genealogy, despite being kept busy by her husband, 4 children and 8 grand children! The three words Irene uses to describe her work are privilege, empathy and compassion. "Everyone you meet is afraid of something, loves something and has lost something, myself included".
Jacqui's worked for Davis since 2006. When she joined us, she realised that being a Funeral Director was her calling. She finds the honour of assisting families at a time when they are most vulnerable challenging yet rewarding. Having completed her Diploma in Funeral Directing in 2009, she's proud to be part of this profession in Auckland, where she was born and raised. Jacqui's other joys include her family, travelling and motorcycling.
Job Titles:
- Receptionist - Henderson / West Auckland
Jo came to Davis from a background in property and healthcare. Her interest in the funeral industry came form the opportunity to be able to assist & support families & give comfort whether its over the phone or at the front desk. This is something that Jo finds very rewarding. You'll find her as the first point of contact at our Henderson branch. Jo's Interests outside of work are family, friends, travelling and her two staffy pups Indi & Axl .
Job Titles:
- Marketing and Creative Design Services Manager
Karen joined the Davis team in October 2019, excited to have the opportunity to combine marketing with her long time interest in the funeral industry. Being able to inform families and showcase the services that Davis has to offer is something Karen is proud of. In her spare time Karen enjoys live music as well as spending time with her husband and teenage children.
Job Titles:
- Branch Manager - Kohimarama / Funeral Director
Martin joined the funeral industry in 1980 and has worked in many rolls from a locum funeral director to owning his own funeral home for 17 years. Martin joined us in 2018 and has been Branch Manager of Davis Funerals Papatoetoe until October 2023 , when he became Branch Manager of our Kohimarama branch.. Martin also holds a National Certificate in Embalming. Outside of work, Martin is a proud Freemason, rising to the position of Master of the Lodge 3 times. He is also a Justice of the Peace.
I joined the funeral industry because I love being able to help families in their most crucial time of need. It is the most rewarding type of work and I'm so proud to be part of the Davis team. Outside of work I enjoy spending time with my cat Otis, creating art and adventuring with my partner Don.
Following a lengthy global corporate career, Michael returned to New Zealand in 2016, and seized the opportunity to join the Funeral Service industry, an industry which nearly became a career for him when he was much younger. Michael considers his current role an honour; leading the dedicated and talented team at Davis and ensuring that at all times we deliver meaningful service and support to families when it is most needed, as well as ensuring Davis continues its proud support and sponsorship of community programmes and organisations across the greater Auckland area. Michael holds the National Diploma in Funeral Directing.
Rachel joined the team at Davis mid 2022 and finds that using her artistic talent to help families create a lasting memory is extremely rewarding. When she's not at work, Rachel spends time illustrating, meditating and doing yoga.
Joining Davis as a funeral director fulfilled Rod's calling to the industry. During his career, Rod has worked as our Pakuranga branch manager before becoming the chapel attendant and cremator operator at Purewa Cemetery and Crematorium. He's now returned to look after our Henderson branch crematorium. Rod deems it a privilege to be able to attend, in a dignified and caring manner, to this aspect of the funeral process for families.
Roz first became involved in the funeral profession in 1999. In 2001 she and her husband Martin opened their own funeral home in South Auckland where in she gained the National Diploma in Funeral Directing. In 2018 Roz joined the Davis Funerals team. Roz finds helping families at such a challenging time, both fulfilling and rewarding. Outside of work she loves to read and spend time with family and friends.
Job Titles:
- Funeral Director
- Funeral Director / West Auckland
Shane started in the funeral industry in 1989 as a Funeral Director's Assistant and has worked in Auckland, Whangarei, Nelson and Melbourne. Now after 33 years Shane is with Davis and based at our Central Park Drive branch. Shane sees it as a privilege to be able to support families at one of their most difficult times and prides himself on making the process as simple as possible. In his spare time, Shane enjoys spending time with his wife and 2 teenage boys as well as keeping fit and working out.
Job Titles:
- Branch Manager - Pakuranga / Funeral Director
Originally from Malaysia, Swee Han has been with us since 2015. Before then, he was working in the estate planning industry for 20 years. He found a home at Davis because it represents his core beliefs of integrity, honesty and empathy. He is married to Natalie who is a School Teacher. Between them, they have 3 sons. He has been living in Pakuranga/Howick area since 1996. In his spare time, he enjoys catching up with family and friends, sports, cooking, baking, movies, music and looking after the family's two dogs and nine cats.
Job Titles:
- Branch Manager Papatoetoe / Funeral Director / Embalmer
Troy was introduced to the funeral industry through a school work experience programme. He joined us in 2012 and since then has held a range of roles. He's proud of the role the embalmer plays in the funeral service and thinks upholding the dignity of those who pass is of utmost importance. Outside of work, he loves to grab a beer with mates, fishing and spending time at the family farm in Rangiriri.