Whānau in Kerepehi, Waikato, New Zealand, are grieving the loss of Sandra Thom and Colin Chamberlain, whose deaths have brought grief to relatives, friends and members of their wider family circle. According to a published family tribute, both died on October 11, 2026. Their remembrance notices highlight the family connections they shared and the significant roles they held as parents, grandparents, siblings, aunties, uncles and friends. As family members gather to pay their respects, plans have been announced for a…
According to a published family tribute, both died on October 11, 2026. Their remembrance notices highlight the family connections they shared and the important roles they held as parents, grandparents, siblings, aunties, uncles and friends.
As loved ones gather to pay their respects, arrangements have been announced for a series of Māori mourning and funeral observances at Kerepehi Marae. The gatherings will provide an opportunity for relatives and members of the community to come together, remember the pair and support those closest to them.
Colin Chamberlain Remembered by His Family
Colin Chamberlain was born on August 18, 1973. He was 53 years old when he died, according to the birth and death dates published in the tribute.
The family remembrance identifies Colin as the son of Tony and Madeline and a brother to Shane and Michelle, Adele-May, Toni-Marie and Benny. He was also a grandfather, or koro, and an uncle to his wider family.
These relationships form a central part of the tribute, which remembers the place he held among several generations of relatives. His family is left to carry forward the memories, shared experiences and connections built throughout his life.
No verified information was provided in the published notice about the circumstances or cause of Colin’s death. Those details should not be assumed without a reliable statement from the family or relevant authorities.
Sandra Thom’s Life and Family Legacy
Sandra Thom was born on May 1, 1977, making her 49 years old at the time of her reported death on October 11, 2026.
Her family tribute describes her as a devoted mother and a loving grandmother, or Nan, to her moko. She was also remembered as a daughter, sister, aunty, cousin and friend.
The notice reflects the many family relationships that shaped Sandra’s life and the connections through which she will be remembered. For those closest to her, her passing marks the loss of someone whose role extended across different generations of the family.
Further details about Sandra’s personal history, career, interests and the circumstances surrounding her death were not established in the notice reviewed. Any additional biographical information should be included only when confirmed by a reliable source.
Key Facts About Sandra Thom and Colin Chamberlain
| Detail | Colin Chamberlain | Sandra Thom |
|---|---|---|
| Name | Colin Chamberlain | Sandra Thom |
| Date of birth | August 18, 1973 | May 1, 1977 |
| Age at reported death | 53 | 49 |
| Reported date of death | October 11, 2026 | October 11, 2026 |
| Family connections | Son, brother, koro and uncle | Mother, Nan, daughter, sister, aunty, cousin and friend |
| Location associated with arrangements | Kerepehi, Waikato, New Zealand | Kerepehi, Waikato, New Zealand |
| Cause of death | Not stated in the notice reviewed | Not stated in the notice reviewed |
Funeral and Mourning Arrangements in Kerepehi
The published notice states that Colin and Sandra will lie in state at Kerepehi Marae on McGowan Avenue in Kerepehi, Waikato.
The announced schedule includes a poroporoaki on Wednesday, October 14, after 7 p.m. The notice does not specify individual ope arrival times.
The funeral service is scheduled for Thursday, October 15, at 11 a.m., with the final ope listed for 10:30 a.m. A smaller service at the crematorium is planned for 3 p.m., followed by a hakari at Kerepehi Marae.
These arrangements are intended to bring family and community members together to honour the deceased and offer support to their loved ones. Anyone planning to attend should confirm the schedule with the family or marae in case of changes.
Understanding the Māori Mourning Traditions
The arrangements include several terms associated with Māori funeral and mourning practices.
A marae is a significant communal space for gatherings and cultural events. During a tangihanga, the Māori mourning process, whānau and community members come together to grieve, remember the deceased and support the bereaved family.
A poroporoaki can refer to a farewell or words of leave-taking. The term moko refers to grandchildren or descendants, while koro is commonly used for grandfather or an older man, depending on context. A hakari is a shared meal that can form part of a gathering after a funeral service.
Practices and schedules vary between whānau and marae. The details in the published notice provide the announced arrangements for this particular farewell rather than a universal description of Māori funeral customs.
A Community United in Remembrance
The deaths of two members of the same extended family can place a significant emotional burden on those left behind. Family members may be grieving individually while also supporting relatives across generations.
The published tribute emphasises the family relationships through which Colin and Sandra will be remembered. Their roles as parents, grandparents, siblings and extended family members reflect the networks of care and connection that remain important to their loved ones.
As the funeral gatherings approach, relatives and friends will have an opportunity to share memories, offer condolences and stand alongside the whānau during a difficult time.
What Is Known About Their Deaths?
The available published notice reports that Colin Chamberlain and Sandra Thom both died on October 11, 2026, and lists funeral arrangements in Kerepehi, Waikato.
However, the notice reviewed does not establish the cause of death or explain whether the deaths were connected to a particular incident. It would therefore be premature to describe their passing as the result of an accident, illness or any other specific circumstance.
Additional information should be added only if it is confirmed through a family announcement, an official statement or another reliable source.
Disclaimer
This article is based on a published remembrance notice and its reported funeral arrangements. Personal details and dates have been presented as stated in that notice. The causes and circumstances of the deaths were not confirmed by the information reviewed. Readers should consult the family or the relevant funeral or marae announcement for updates and any corrections.
