About Us

Ko David Croft tōku ingoa.
I descend from Ngāti Hine, Motatau Marae on my father’s side, and from the McDermott clan of Scotland on my mother’s side.

Together with my partner, Jessica Henson (Ngāti Tūwharetoa, Parewahaha Marae), we founded Moe Mai Ra Coffinz – a kaupapa Māori, whānau-led business, where we work from our whenua/home here in the far north Aotearoa, New Zealand.

As tangata whenua, we carry our culture and values into everything we create. Many of our designs reflect our love for te ao Māori, offering unique, one-of-a-kind waka moe (coffins and caskets) that honour the individuality and mana of your loved one.Our point of difference - what makes us different?

Our Point of Difference

When David had his heart attack, the reality of losing him came as a huge awakening. We saw first-hand the overwhelming costs involved in funeral arrangements, and how unprepared most whānau are for such moments.

At the same time, David’s dad had started building his own final waka. That experience planted a seed — we realised that if anything were to happen tomorrow, we needed to be prepared too.

Through this journey, we came to understand just how much is involved in funerals — and how the growing funeral debt crisis is affecting whānau across Aotearoa. Too many Kiwis are being left with long-term debt, sometimes taking 10 years or more to pay off.

That’s why we created Moe Mai Ra Coffinz: to provide affordable, achievable options that are crafted with aroha, while empowering whānau to take back control of the process.

Our kaupapa is simple: dignity, choice, and mana motuhake — without leaving loved ones in debt.