The Bowler Family 1974-2004

Mr Harvey's sons operated as Harvey and Sons until 1974, when Milton and Airini Bowler purchased the business from the Harvey family. The Bowler family ran a successful funeral business and renamed the company to Harvey Bowler Funeral Services.



For 30 years, the Bowler family owned and operated Harvey Bowlers and assisted many families during this time. It was during this time that Horowhenua Crematorium was established in 1988 on the Oxford Street premises, providing an alternative option for families in the area. Before then, families would have their loved ones transported to Kelvin Grove in Palmerston North for cremation. More information about our Horowhenua Crematorium can be found on the Horowhenua Crematorium page.  In 2004, the Bowler family sold to Michael and Liz Hill who currently proudly own and operate Harvey Bowler Funeral Services today.

The Hill Family 2004- Present

Michael and Liz Hill, along with their two daughters Gemma and Chanelle, are carrying on the traditions of the Harvey and Bowler Families. Today Harvey Bowler Funeral Services have chapels and offices in Levin, Otaki and Shannon.



Michael and Liz are active members of FDANZ (Funeral Directors Association of New Zealand), with Michael taking on multiple roles over the years in the Wellington District FDANZ. Michael has also assisted the Disaster Response Team who unfortunately has had to assist with our New Zealand response with the Christchurch Earthquakes, and Christchurch Mosque Attack.



Michael and Liz are committed to supporting their community and sponsor a number of different community groups and projects. One important aspect of their work in giving back to the community, is the Harvey Bowler Festival of Lights and The Christmas Avenue of Trees, which allow for families and community groups to join together to celebrate the festive season. 

The Beginning of Horowhenua Crematorium

With the introduction of crematoriums in the early 1900s, families now had an alternative to burial. In the early years, the cremator was a converted oil fired furnace that were owned and operated by City Councils and were generally situated within cemetery boundaries. In the mid 1980's the first purpose built cremator for the cremation of human remains was imported into New Zealand. This concept was especially designed for use in and operated by Funeral Homes. 



The nearest crematorium for the Horowhenua Community was Kelvin Grove in Palmerston North or Whenua Tapu in Pukerua Bay. Families had to travel to one of these destinations to farewell their loved one.  In 1988, with the permission of the Levin Borough Council, Harvey Bowler Funeral Services installed their own cremator on site in Oxford Street appropriately named Horowhenua Crematorium and began serving the wider Horowhenua Kapiti region. It was a relief for families who could now have all services provided in their own region. Still operating onsite at Harvey Bowlers today, the Horowhenua Crematorium provides a service that most families opt for in recent times.