Have your say  |  5 Jun 2025

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Feedback is being sought on a draft concept plan for a cemetery in Templeton to meet Christchurch’s future burial needs.

The Council has a legal requirement to provide for community burial needs and there is limited capacity within the city’s existing cemeteries. The proposed cemetery, which has been gifted the name Whakatā meaning “the Resting Place” by Ngā Maata Waka, is projected to last for up to 100 years.

Community Parks Manager Al Hardy says community views have been used to inform the draft concept plan, with the needs of a diverse range of cultural groups being catered for.

“The draft plan for the cemetery also includes areas for green burial, natural burial, companion and pet burial, and fully adorned plots. 

“We want to create a serene, peaceful, and respectful space that meets the diverse needs of our community. Cemetery design has evolved to include multi-functional and open park-like settings that blend with the landscape, use space efficiently, and reflect cultural and religious values.”

There will be buffer zones created with careful plantings of trees and shrubs to minimise visual impacts for nearby residents. The cemetery will be located between existing housing and a quarry, providing an additional park-like barrier for residents.

Planning for a new cemetery began in 2019, when about 80 hectares of Council-owned land at 173 Maddisons Road was identified as the preferred potential site and discussions started with industry, the Templeton community, mana whenua, environmental experts, and representatives from the city’s cultural and religious groups.

Mr Hardy says it is important to re-connect with the community to share the draft concept plan as some time has passed since initial engagement was carried out.

“This is an opportunity to address past feedback and hear any new concerns or ideas that may help shape our detailed designs for the cemetery.”

Previous engagement about the cemetery included the possibility of a sports hub being developed on 30ha of Council land located next to the 80ha identified for the cemetery. The sports hub is not being progressed at this stage, although the land will continue to be held for Council purposes depending on future demand.

Consultation on the Whakatā Christchurch Cemetery draft plan will close on Monday 7 July 2025.