People of Papatoetoe - Community Stories

Taro Patch Creative
4 days ago
4 min read

Updated: 9 hours ago

Who are you and where do you come from?

My name is Dain Guttenbeil. I’m of Māori/Tongan (Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Wai/Vava'u) and European descent. I'm also the co-founder of Lifestone, a memorial business based in Old Papatoetoe. My journey into this mahi came from a desire to serve our people in a way that honours culture, faith, and legacy. We’ve built Lifestone as a foundation, a business, and a community space, one that holds space for grief, healing, and reconnection.

What does Papatoetoe mean to you?

Papatoetoe represents connection. It’s one of the few places in Tāmaki Makaurau that still feels deeply community-centric. It’s a place where people still wave to each other, look out for their neighbours, and genuinely care. We probably wouldn’t have ended up here if it wasn’t for this kaupapa, but I’m so glad we did. Being in Old Papatoetoe has allowed us to align with the communities we serve, 95% of whom are Māori and Pacific, and to do our mahi with purpose.

We’ve been in Papatoetoe for a few years now, but the impact has been deep. From day one, locals would walk past our workshop and ask why we were working out of a derelict building. It didn’t matter if they were Chinese, Samoan, Pākehā, everyone had the same question: “You seem like you do good work, but why does your place look so bad?” That community feedback pushed us to engage with council, and eventually, they repainted the building. It’s a small thing, but it came from a collective voice. That’s the power of community.

One moment that stands out is how we were able to push council into repainting our building, not by protesting, but through the gentle, consistent concern of our neighbours. Elders walking past, people attending the Chinese festival at the petrol station next door, even families from the retirement village, all saying the same thing. “You guys are doing good things, but this building doesn't reflect that.” That’s when I realised: the community saw us, valued us, and wanted us to thrive.

Lifestone is a memorial company with a difference. We operate as a social enterprise, providing affordable, culturally appropriate memorials for Māori and Pacific families. We’re based in Old Papatoetoe, and we do everything from headstones to community support. Our approach is grounded in pastoral care, cultural values, and genuine connection. We also aim to support churches and marae directly, by sharing profits and reinvesting into the same communities we serve.

What's your fire?

I’m driven by a deep sense of service, through culture, through faith, and through connection. At Lifestone, we support whānau during one of the hardest times of their lives. And we’re not just offering memorials, we’re offering support. That might be giving back to churches or sports clubs from every sale, or it might mean sitting with a family for 12 months while they process a loss. We’re experts in our own lived experience of grief, and that gives us purpose.

Honestly, I’m proud that we’ve built something different. Lifestone isn’t just a business, it’s a foundation. Everyone who works here is someone we’ve served. We’ve created a space that’s culturally grounded, spiritually conscious, and community led. We’re not experts in clinical care, but we’re willing to learn. And we’re proud to walk alongside our people through healing, not from a distance, but with them.

We see ourselves as part of a wider healing ecosystem. That means not just selling memorials, but being part of conversations around grief, wellbeing, cultural healing, and support. Whether it’s referring people to miri miri, partnering with local rongoā Māori practitioners, or supporting a church fundraiser, it all contributes to stronger, healthier, more connected communities.

Favourite quote?

“Do what’s right, not what’s the norm.”

In our industry, that means choosing people over profits, choosing employment over machinery, and centering service, not sales. We're not here to replicate the industry model, we’re here to reshape it, around values that are Māori and Pacific at the core. And as we say often around here: finding friends is always good too.

Papatoetoe is special because....

Old Papatoetoe has heart. You’ve got the Chinese festivals at the petrol station, Christmas parades with 42 reindeer marching down the street, and neighbours who genuinely care if your business is doing okay. It’s got the flavour, the humour, the hustle, and most importantly, the people. That’s why we’re here.

Where can we connect with you?

Come say hello. We love meeting people face to face. You can find us at lifestone.co.nz, follow us on Facebook at LifestoneNZ, or connect with us on Instagram and TikTok. We’re just getting started on those platforms, but we’ve got a young content creator helping us bring our stories to life online. And if you’re in the area, drop in. We’re right next to Annual Fashions and always keen for a kōrero.