Kiwi reality TV stars Francis and Kaiora Tipene from the award-winning series The Casketeers are now authors of a new book ‘Life as a Casketeer’.
The hit show follows funeral directors Kaiora and Francis as they take the audience behind the scene of their business – Tipene Funerals in Auckland.
Francis, who is of Tongan & Māori heritage, agreed to be on TV so viewers get an insight into the funeral business. “It’s a privilege with a huge responsibility,” he told Tagata Pasifika last year.
The TV show is available on TVNZ, and their fans are growing overseas thanks to Netflix.
At the same time, they have won awards including Te Māngai Pāho Best Māori Programme and Best Original Reality Series at the TV Awards last year.
The Tipenes announced on social media yesterday that they are the authors of ‘Life as a Casketeer’, which will be available at book shops from the 4th of February this year.
“Well, we certainly never thought we would ever be authors. When approached by Harper Collins, it was ‘WOW’, much like the show when being asked to film. ‘WOW, really?’ we asked… Now that the book is here, it’s like ‘WOW’ again. Honestly, we’re so humbled and blessed,” Kaiora said.
Their book reveals how Francis and Kaiora grew up in families that had few possessions but were rich with love and tikanga, and how they came to work in their often-misunderstood profession.
Pre-order ‘Life as a Casketeer’ online here https://www.mightyape.co.nz/search?q=Casketeer&page=1 or catch The Casketeers, Sundays 7pm on TVNZ 1 and OnDemand.
