Kirsten O'Connor

Kirsten O'Connor is a New Zealand writer, speaker and founder of This Is Grief.

Following the death of her daughter Kahlia in 2024, Kirsten began writing the books she wished had existed when her world fell apart.

Her debut memoir, The Year After Kahlia, is a raw account of surviving the first year after suicide loss. Her second book, Stay: A Dog's View of Love, Grief, and Ordinary Days, tells the story of grief, love and survival through the eyes of an old dog named Buster.

Through her books, writing circles, newsletters and speaking engagements, Kirsten explores grief, suicide, love, memory and the complicated reality of living after loss.

She is the founder of This Is Grief and lives in New Zealand.