People who care, first and always
At Collingwood Funeral Home, our team is at the heart of everything we do. We believe that genuine care, empathy, and understanding make all the difference — especially during one of life’s most difficult times.
Every member of our team is committed to supporting families with compassion, professionalism, and respect. We take the time to listen, to understand what matters most to you, and to guide you through each step with sensitivity and care.
For us, this is more than a job. It’s about being present for families, building trust, and helping create meaningful farewells that truly reflect the life being honoured.
A team you can trust
Our team brings together experience, professionalism, and a genuine passion for helping people. While we are highly trained and knowledgeable in all aspects of funeral care, we pride ourselves on being approachable, down-to-earth, and easy to talk to.
Families often tell us they appreciate how comfortable and supported they feel with our team — knowing they are in capable hands, while also being treated with warmth and understanding.
Meet the team
Our dedicated team is here to support you with care, respect, and professionalism. We take the time to listen, understand your wishes, and help create a farewell that’s personal and meaningful.
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Mike Lee
Funeral Director
Mike is dedicated to helping families feel supported at every step. With a gentle, reassuring manner, he works alongside loved ones to create meaningful services that honour individual wishes. Mike’s commitment to personalised care ensures families feel understood, confident, and well looked after.
From a farming background, Mike has always enjoyed the outdoors and the farming lifestyle. It's this upbringing that Mike attributes to his true appreciation for the simple things in life.
Todd Gower
Funeral Director
Todd brings years of experience and calm professionalism to every family he supports. Known for his thoughtful presence and attention to detail, he guides families with clarity and care through the planning process. Todd’s approach is grounded in listening first — ensuring each farewell reflects the person being remembered.
Robyn Jones
Office Administrator
Robyn oversees our office administration and also serves as a funeral assistant, playing a vital role in the smooth and compassionate care we provide families. Warm, caring, and unflappable, Robyn has a calming presence and a remarkable ability to keep the team steady during even the most trying times.
A devoted mother of two, proud nana of two, and happily married to Lee, Robyn brings the same generosity from her home life into her work. In her spare time, she loves catering for the masses who regularly gather at her house. You’ll most often find Robyn at the front desk or in the chapel, offering a welcoming smile and a reassuring presence to those we serve.
Justin Roper
Funeral Director
A Rotorua local, Justin is a dedicated and compassionate funeral director who goes the extra mile to ensure every family he looks after feels genuinely supported during their time of need. With a true passion for helping people, Justin takes great pride in his work and loves every aspect of his role, finding it a privilege to care for families when it matters most.
Before joining the Collingwood team, Justin spent time working in the trades, where he developed a strong work ethic, a practical approach and people skills that continues to serve him well in his career today.
Outside of work, Justin is a keen mountain biker, often found hurtling through the Redwoods, or relaxing with a cold beer with his mates. Down-to-earth and approachable, Justin is a real Kiwi guy who brings warmth, dedication, and sincerity to everything he does.
Tate Tisdall
Funeral Home Assistant
Rotorua born and bred, Tate is a valued member of the team at Collingwood Funeral Home, serving as a Funeral Assistant and providing support across all aspects of the funeral home’s work. Based in Rotorua, Tate is known for his reliability, compassion, and willingness to assist wherever needed to ensure families are cared for with dignity and respect.
He has won multiple performing arts awards, including Rotorua Performer of the Year (2022), Grade 8 Speech New Zealand Scholarship, which in turn furthered him to complete his ASB Diploma programme with Speech New Zealand, and Musical Theatre (ATCL) Diploma with Trinity College, London, gaining Distinction in both Diplomas, during this time he also served his school as the Head of Community Prefect and Drama Captain at John Paul College.
Outside of his role at the funeral home, Tate is an active member of the City of Rotorua Highland Pipe Band and is currently studying a Bachelor of Arts Majoring in Psychological Science and Political Science at Victoria University of Wellington. His strong sense of community, commitment to service, and thoughtful approach make him a trusted and dedicated part of the Collingwood team.
Roy Flipp
Roy Flipp joins our team after many years in the building industry, bringing with him a strong work ethic and an eye for detail. Deciding it was time for a new chapter, Roy was hand-picked by Todd and Mike, who immediately recognised his enormous potential and natural connection with people.
Currently training as a funeral director, Roy supports the team in every aspect of the day-to-day operations of the funeral home. With a genuine passion for people and a pride in perfection, he approaches his role with care, dedication, and respect.
Outside of work, Roy is engaged to Kayla and is a proud dad of 3 awesome kids —keeping life full and busy. A keen gardener and a tinkerer in the shed keeps Roy out of mischief, and much like Justin, he enjoys a blast on his mountain bike whenever he gets the chance.
Charlie & Sam
Charlie and Sam have proudly been members of the team their entire lives — With strong work ethics (and an even stronger commitment to napping), Charlie and Sam have carved out vital roles within the funeral home: wandering around aimlessly while looking like they’re doing something important.
Their daily responsibilities are both diverse and highly specialised. These include providing emotional support to grieving families (mainly by sitting by their feet or offering a well-timed tail wag) and expertly cleaning up sausage roll crumbs after services — Tasks they approach with unmatched enthusiasm and zero formal training.
Other key duties include:
Conducting thorough floor inspections for dropped snacks (quality control is everything)
Supervising staff tea breaks to ensure no biscuit goes unmonitored
Greeting visitors with a level of excitement usually reserved for long-lost relatives
Maintaining strict security protocols by barking at absolutely nothing
Despite their busy schedule, Charlie and Sam always find time to boost team morale, often by dramatically flopping onto their backs in the middle of the office and refusing to move.
In summary, while these boys may not understand the finer details of the business, they are widely regarded as the most important members of the team — mostly because no one else takes their job quite as seriously as they don’t.
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"We are so grateful to Collingwood Funeral Home for their compassion and support during such a difficult time. Everything was handled with care and professionalism, making the process a lot easier for our family. Your kindness, patience, guidance and support meant so much to us."
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We’re honoured to be trusted by families in our community. If you’d like to read what others have shared about their experience with us, you can view our Google reviews here.
If you’d like to talk, ask a question, or begin arrangements, our team is available 24 hours a day to support you with care and understanding. You don’t have to navigate this alone - we’re here to help.
Celebrating life - your way
Here for you, anytime
Our team is available 24 hours a day to support you when you need us.
Get in touch
Address: 1358 Eruera Street, Rotorua
Phone: 07 347 0069
Mobile: 027 2274246
Email: office@collingwoodfuneralhome.co.nz
