whatsoninvers.nz provides daily updates for Acknowledgements, Death Notices and In Memoriams across Invercargill, Southland, Central Otago, Queenstown, and the wider South Island.
This is a free community service published Monday through Saturday to support local families in sharing memories, celebrating lives, and expressing gratitude. Our digital platform ensures your tributes are instantly accessible to friends and family near and far, keeping our community connected during life's most meaningful moments. We extend a heartfelt thank you to our local advertisers, whose generous support allows us to provide this essential service entirely free of charge to families.
📧 How to Submit a Notice
To list a loved one’s death notice, funeral notice, in memoriam, or acknowledgement, please email your text, Word document, or PDF to: [email protected] (Please submit on the day you wish it to be published).
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Loading...LOVE, Huon Edward (Knapdale):
Peacefully at home on Friday, June 26, 2026. Aged 81 years. Loved and cherished husband and soulmate of the late Veronica. Loving Dad and father-in-law of Troy and Karla, and cherished Grandad of Serena, and Lauren. A loved brother and uncle of all his extended family.A service to celebrate the life of Huon will be held in the Southern Funeral Home Chapel, 106 Hokonui Drive, Gore on Thursday, July 2nd at 1.30pm, Followed by refreshments before leaving for the interment at Charlton Park Cemetery. Messages to: 10 Margaret Street, Gore 9710.
McKINNEL, Hector John:
Pacefully in the care of Southland Hospital on Monday, 29th June 2026, aged 86 years. Loved son of the late Marion and Ian McKinnel. Loved uncle of Allister and MacKensie McKinnel. Loved brother of the late Ranald, and Donald McKinnel. A Memorial Service to celebrate Hector’s life will be held in the Avenal Park Chapel, 75 Fox Street on Thursday, 2nd July at 1:00pm.
MILNE, John (Jock):
It is with deep sadness that we announce that Jock passed away suddenly, at home on Sunday 28 June 2026; aged 79 years. Adored husband and friend of Elizabeth (Liz), and dad of Derek, Grant and Jane. Much loved Grandad Jock of Emily, Harrison, and Mackenzie. Brother of Bruce (Australia), and the late Jean and Dennis. Best mate to Millie. Fondly remembered by his brothers and sisters-in- law and all his nieces and nephews. Heartfelt thanks to the Wallacetown Fire Brigade and the St John Ambulance staff. A service to celebrate Jock’s life will be held in the Avenal Park Chapel, 75 Fox Street Invercargill on Friday 3 July at 11.00am. A private interment will follow at the Calcium Cemetery, Isla Bank. You are invited to join the service via livestream by going to the Avenal Park website obituaries page and clicking on the link on Jock’s page. Messages to the Milne family P.O. Box 1345, Invercargill 9840.
MILNE, Jock:
Loved brother-in-law of Jim and Kay Smith, Barbara and Neil Hammond, Graham and Susan Smith, Colin and Maree Smith and Shirley and Kevin Reeve. Loved uncle of his nieces and nephews.
NEWTON, Barbara Ann:
Peacefully on 28 June, 2026 at Resthaven Village, Gore with her family by her side; aged 83 years. Much loved mother and mother-in-law of Gavin and Fiona McCabe, Sharon McCabe and Brian Richardson, Jo and Steve Jensen, Brent and Darlene McCabe, Kevin and Caron McCabe, cherished G-ma of her 9 grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren. At Barbara’s request, a private burial will take place. A gathering to share memories of Barbara will be held on Saturday 4 July, 2026, at 2pm in the Gore RSA Function Room, 12 Bowler Ave, Gore. Messages to 110 Tokanui-Gorge Road, RD5, Invercargill 9875
PROCTER, Brent:
The chapter has come to an end, passed away Monday 29 June 2026, aged 82 years. Brent was the last of his line, a line that will never be forgotten. The loved son of the late Frances and John Procter. Brother of the late Jon. Brent will be sadly missed by all that knew him. Special thank you to everyone who cared for him during his times of need. Due to Brents wishes, a private cremation has been held.
SMITHURST, Garry John:
With heavy hearts, we announce that Garry passed away peacefully at Southland Hospice on 28 June 2026, surrounded by his loving family after a courageous battle. Cherished Papa of Laken and Daniel Simmons. Much-loved partner of Tonya Maniapoto. Loved stepfather, uncle, treasured Grandad and Great-Grandad. Known to many as “Bucko” by his extended family and friends. A lifelong mate of Paul Attwell. A celebration of Gary's life will be at the Salvation Army, 29 Victoria Avenue, Avenal, at 2 pm on the 1st of July, followed by a private cremation. Messages to 95 Hoffman Court, Invercargill 9810, New Zealand, or may be left on Garry's tribute page at distinctfunerals.co.nz where a livestream can be found.
Forever in our hearts.
Ride free.
STEWART, Robert Garth:
Of Te Anau and formerly Dipton. Garth passed away peacefully at home surrounded by love and his family on 27 June 2026. Loving husband of Adrianne Stewart. Much loved father of Peter and Lin, Chris and Serra, Jill and Geoff. Loving Grandad of Lachlan, Henry, Jack and Alice, Sammi and Sophie, Jake and Joney, Dan, Tom and Matt, and great Grandad of Arthur. Loved brother of Jo Raines and Judith Baird*. Loved brother-in-law of Ken Rout*, Ian and Carolyn Rout. A celebration of Garth’s life will be held at the Te Anau Club, Pop Andrew Drive, Te Anau on Friday 3 June 2026 at 2pm. Respectfully, no flowers please. Messages to 18 Vancouver Place, Te Anau 9600 or to Garth's tribute page at frasersfunerals.co.nz/tributes where a livestream link will be available.
(* denotes deceased)
TAYLOR, Audrey Lena:
On the 24th June 2026, passed away peacefully at home after a short illness, just after her 89th birthday. Beloved wife of the late Robert Taylor. Dearly loved mother and mother-in-law of John and Jeanine Taylor, Andrea and Clinton Boulter. Cherished grandmother to Jack and Estelle Taylor, Danyelle and Zane Boulter. Beloved aunt to her nieces and nephews. A service to celebrate Audrey’s life will be held in J Fraser & Sons chapel, on Friday 3 July at 1.30pm. Messages to 754 Otautau Drummond Road, Isla Bank, Otautau 9683, or to 33 Ashgrove Street, Rangiora 7400. Digital messages to Audrey’s tribute page at frasersfunerals.co.nz/tributes where a livestream link of Audrey’s service will be available.
Acknowledgements and Memoriam's: