Our Team

Tracey Friend
Owner and Funeral Director

Tracey is a qualified and experienced Funeral Director, starting work in the industry in 2005 and since 2007 holds a NZ Diploma in Funeral Directing (Level 5).

Tracey loves her job and feels passionate about the funeral industry. After a 20-year career as a Dental Technician, she now knows she’s in the right place — helping people. She purchased the business in 2018 after working as an employee here for 14 years, and always strives for excellence for the families she looks after. Tracey is also a Justice of the Peace and happy to help the community with this service.

Tracey has an exceptional life partner in Ross, locally born and bred, who is extremely supportive. She’s also a proud mum to three wonderful young men and their families and "Nante" to five beautiful grandchildren. She enjoys supporting them all as they grow and navigate life.

Rita Brown
Principal Embalmer

Rita has worked at Tararua Funerals since 2003. Her primary role is as an Embalmer, and she holds a NZ Diploma in Embalming (Level 5) since 2018.

This is highly specialised work, and Rita is dedicated to providing quality care for the deceased. She is passionate about her work and takes pride in every aspect of it.

Rita has lived in Dannevirke most of her life. She’s married to her supportive husband Kim, and together they have 7 adult children and 10 grandchildren. They enjoy spending time with family and embracing life’s journey.

Courtney Atkins
Assistant Funeral Director

Courtney joined the Tararua Funerals team at the beginning of 2025, as an assistant Funeral Director fulfilling a lifelong aspiration to work in the funeral industry.

Courtney is loving being a part of the Tararua Funerals team and feels very lucky to serve the community in this role. She has already shown a real passion for learning about the funeral industry, along with a natural compassion that brings comfort to families during their most difficult times and hopes to start the Diploma in Funeral Directing at the beginning of 2026 to gain her qualification.

Courtney is married to her incredibly supportive husband Johnny. Outside of work she enjoys running, being active and spending time with her two young children.