Waipā cemeteries full up by 2048
Most Waipā cemeteries are expected to be full in the next 25 years as the number of burials doubles.
It is anticipated most of the district’s 10 cemeteries will be full by 2048.
Community services manager Brad Ward said due to an increasing and ageing population, planning was under way to ensure choices were available.
By law, all councils must provide land for burials and internment, in a way that is affordable for residents and in line with community expectations.
‘‘The Te Awamutu cemetery is likely to reach capacity between 2028 and 2033, and Hautapu and Paterangi cemeteries between 2033 and 2038.
‘‘This will put pressure on our other cemeteries, which can absorb the overflow for a few years. But the Kihikihi and Leamington cemeteries will also reach capacity by 2043-2048,’’ he said.
Ward said compared with other parts of New Zealand, 70% of people in Waipā were choosing burial over cremation. ‘‘That is unusually high. We recognise this is a very sensitive issue but an increase in cremations would delay cemeteries reaching capacity.’’
Ward said the council was exploring land acquisition opportunities in the district and was also encouraging people to consider other options, besides traditional burials.
Leamington has offered a natural burial option since 2018 and so far they have had 10 burials, seven of those caskets and three ashes.
‘‘It doesn’t have a huge uptake at the moment but if people were to look towards greener or more environmentally
70% of people in Waipā are choosing burial over cremation.
Brad Ward
Waipā District Council
friendly options, natural burials may become a bit more popular in the future.’’
Ward said they could take a bit of planning and conversations beforehand as the person can’t be embalmed and the coffin has to be untreated wood.
The body or ashes are then buried and a tree is planted on that location so, over time, the body will be part of a natural bush setting in the cemetery.
A natural wooden remembrance memorial is put on the grave site that will eventually decompose.
The council will be holding workshops with mana whenua and key stakeholders and also wants feedback from the community.
‘‘We are keen to get people involved. ‘‘We don’t have these conversations every day about cemeteries, so it is good to get people’s feedback when we can, and this will help form the future development of the sites over the coming years.’’
Ward said they tried to make them warm, vibrant places that people feel comfortable to go into. ‘‘You associate cemeteries with traumatic times for families, or people, so we want to make it as accommodating and comfortable for everyone as we can.’’
Waipā residents can provide their feedback on the district’s cemeteries by filling out a survey on waipadc.govt.nz/ cemeteries-concept-plan by July 8.