Real Life with John Cowan

Born and bred in Kaitaia, Kaiora Tipene is co-founder of reality television show The Casketeers. First airing in 2018, the series follows Kaiora and her husband Francis, who own and run Tipene Funerals, a funeral parlour in Auckland. 

The series focuses on families and staff, the stories of deaths and bereaved families, the trials and triumphs of running a business, local and traditional funeral and grief practices, and the quirks and relationships of the Tipenes and their staff. 

Kaiora and Francis have five children.