Cemeteries and Crematorium

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Cemeteries and Crematorium

Cemetery Search | Burial Procedures | Cremation Procedures | Cemeteries and Crematorium Fees and Charges | Cemeteries and Crematorium Map

We manage the Taranaki Crematorium and 11 cemeteries throughout the district, as well as holding reference material on four cemetery boards as well as three church cemeteries that are administered by independent cemetery boards.

Cemetery office

Our cemetery office organises bookings and provides information on all aspects of the cemeteries, including how to arrange burials, cremations or memorials.

We also hold all historical records for Council-administered cemeteries. Information is available on request, but depending on the volume of information required, a small fee may be asked. Cemetery and crematorium records are also online.

• Cemetery search

The office is open 8am to 5pm Monday to Friday (except public holidays). Phone 06-759 6060 or fax 06-759 6072.

Arranging a funeral

Generally, contact a funeral director to arrange a burial or cremation.

Fees and charges

The fees and charges link below takes you to the current list of cemetery and crematorium charges. These are also available from the cemetery and crematorium office or a funeral director.

• Fees and charges

Memorial and floral tributes

A monumental supplier can advise you on the memorial (e.g. headstones) options available. A funeral director may supply you with a named wooden cross but this is considered only a temporary arrangement. All upkeep of memorials is the responsibility of the owner.

Floral tributes are permitted only on the memorial headstone bases. Vase inserts may be provided for some cremation areas. No flowers or shrubs may be planted in lawn cemeteries.

Returned Services Areas

Services areas are available to those who have returned from active service. These areas are administered on behalf of the Veterans Affairs Department. For information on rules and eligibility contact the council or your local Returned Servicemen’s Association (RSA).Return to top

Urban cemeteries

Te Henui Cemetery
Junction of Watson and Lemon streets, New Plymouth.
Te Henui opened in 1861 and is the original New Plymouth public cemetery.  Set in an attractive park environment, it serves mainly as a heritage cemetery rich in local history and monuments. Although some interments occasionally occur, no plots are available for purchase.

Awanui Cemetery
Awanui St, New Plymouth.
Awanui is the main public cemetery for New Plymouth. Located in the city within a rural setting, Awanui is a lawn cemetery that offers areas for returned services, monumental headstones, cremation plaques and headstones.

Waitara Cemetery
Bayly St, Waitara.
Opened in 1885, Waitara Cemetery offers an historic monumental area complemented by a more modern lawn cemetery. Plots are available for returned services, monumental headstones, cremation plaques and headstone areas.

Inglewood Cemetery
Rata St, Inglewood.
Inglewood Cemetery has served the local community since 1879. It offers areas for monumental headstones and cremation plaques and has an historic monumental area.

Oakura Cemetery
Butlers Lane, Oakura.
Oakura cemetery is tucked away behind Butlers Tavern on the main highway and has served this settlement since the first recorded burial in 1888.

Okato Cemetery
SH45, Okato
Okato Cemetery is on the left if you are heading into Okato from New Plymouth. It is clearly sign-posted from SH45.

Urenui Cemetery
Junction of Totara and Ngapapa streets
Urenui Cemetery is situated a few kilometres north of Waitara and has served as a final resting place for many early families since 1882. This cemetery remains a strong focal point for the local community’s heritage.

Rural cemeteries
There are four council-administered cemeteries that provide a basic range of options for the rural communities they serve. They are Purangi, Waireka, Tarata and Tataraimaka (closed).

Please contact us for reference information and contacts for cemetery boards and private cemeteries.

• Contact us
• Cemetery and crematorium location map

Public visiting hours

Vehicle access is allowed from 7.00am - 8.30pm during daylight saving hours and 7.00am - 6.00pm at other times. Pedestrian access is allowed from dawn to dusk throughout the year.

Taranaki Crematorium

The crematorium offers full cremation services, a chapel seating up to 200 people and the Gardens of Remembrance for the internment of ashes (memorial placement is not possible in the garden area). The crematorium also has a Book of Remembrance that provides a long lasting memorial. All names are automatically entered and the book is available for viewing.

Related links

• Burial and Cremation Forms
• Ministry of Culture and Heritage website
• RSA website
• Veterans Affairs website Return to top