More diverse, greener cemeteries in the mix for Waipā

Waipā cemeteries look set to be more accessible, offer more interment options and be more prepared for the impacts of climate change in the future.

Last year, Waipā District Council warned some – but not all - of its 10 cemeteries would be full by 2048. Growth challenges, the high ratio of burials to ash interments and a desire to improve facilities kicked off a round of community engagement to guide future development.

Draft concept plans presented to today’s Service Delivery Committee better reflect community aspirations, said community services manager Brad Ward.

“We received a lot of good, strong feedback around issues like accessibility, mana whenua aspirations, and practical issues like parking, seating and shade – all very useful comments,” Ward said.

“People talked around planting and the potential for native planting to be developed on areas not suitable for interment because of their topography or proximity to waterways. That has encouraged us to look at options which may allow us to develop peaceful and accessible places that are culturally sensitive and more sustainable.”

The concept plans include steps to improve landscaping, seating and shade areas, improve access to water as well as pedestrian access and offer more diverse interment options such as ash walls or memorial gardens. There is a strong push to enhance biodiversity to encourage native species.

Today Councillors agreed the draft concepts plans should go back out to the community for limited public engagement in late February. Further feedback will be sought via an online survey as well as directly from previous submitters and key stakeholders. Hard copies of the survey will be available in the libraries. Survey results and any recommended changes will be reported back in either May or June for final approval.

Waipā cemetery facts:

• Waipā has 10 cemeteries across the district covering 25.5 hectares of land
• Each cemetery offers coffin and casket burials and ash interment options. Leamington Cemetery also offers a natural burial option.
• Of Waipā’s existing cemetery land, 6.1 hectares is not suitable for interments (but may be suitable for other uses to enhance the area)
• Waipā has enough cemetery capacity until around 2048. Te Awamutu cemetery may reach capacity by 2028 and Hautapu and Paterangi cemeteries by 2033.
• The average number of interments in Waipā is increasing from 200 per year, to a projected 450 per year in 2043
• Over the last decade, there have been more burials in Waipā (64%) than cremations (36%)
• Burials generally occur weekdays, between 8am -2pm
• In 2021, 90% of interments were in the Hautapu, Leamington and Te Awamutu cemeteries