Council takes next steps in identifying land for a future cemetery

Kāpiti Coast District Council is starting a district-wide land assessment to identify a suitable future cemetery site to ensure there is enough capacity to meet the district’s burial needs over coming decades.

This follows on from a capacity assessment of existing cemeteries and a future demand analysis that highlighted the need for more space. 

The district-wide site assessment exercise will identify land options suitable for a future cemetery. This work responds to long‑term planning that shows existing cemeteries are facing increasing capacity pressure, with Waikanae Cemetery expected to reach capacity in the next few years.   

Council’s Parks, Open Space and Environment Manager, Gareth Eloff, says as Waikanae reaches capacity, pressures will increase on other cemeteries across the district so planning ahead is essential. 

“Cemeteries are an important community asset, and we need to take a thoughtful and long‑term approach to make sure suitable space is available when families need it,” Mr Eloff says. 

“This is a sensitive area of work, and we’re committed to handling it with care, respect and cultural understanding, involving mana whenua in the process.” 

The need for additional cemetery land was identified in Council’s Open Space Strategy (2022) and Cemetery Asset Management Plan (2023). 

A new cemetery will also support the Council’s pandemic planning responsibilities and help respond to changing burial and remembrance trends. 

The site assessment process will be undertaken this year and will focus on identifying, assessing and ranking potential locations. Factors being considered include cultural values, environmental impacts, resilience to flooding and earthquakes, access, operational practicality, cost and long‑term suitability.  

Mr Eloff says no site has been selected yet and this early assessment process does not involve acquiring land – that comes later. The site assessment is expected to be completed in the first quarter of 2027, with a report presented to Council to decide next steps which will likely include the future acquisition of land.  

Acquiring land for a new cemetery can be a lengthy process. Our aim is to have a new cemetery with capacity for the next 50 years open within the next decade,” Mr Eloff says.