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

This section contains information relating to cemeteries and crematorium in New Plymouth District.

We manage the Taranaki Crematorium and 11 cemeteries throughout the district. We also hold reference material on four cemetery board and 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 please contact us 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.

• Te Henui Cemetery map (One page 69KB PDF)

Awanui Cemetery
Awanui Street, 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.

• Awanui Cemetery map (One page 98KB PDF)

Waitara Cemetery
Bayly Street, 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.

• Waitara Cemetery map (One page 89KB PDF)

Inglewood Cemetery
Rata Street, 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.

• Inglewood Cemetery map (One page 80KB PDF)

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.

• Oakura Cemetery plan (One page 203KB PDF)

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.  

• Okato Cemetery plan (One page 222KB PDF)

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.

• Urenui Cemetery plan (One page 179KB PDF)

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).

• Purangi Cemetery plan (One page 108KB PDF)
• Waireka Cemetery plan (One page 166KB PDF)
• Tarata Cemetery plan (One page 124KB PDF)

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. Pedestrian access is allowed at all times. 

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 documents

• Natural burial guidelines (Four pages KB PDF)

Related links

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