Cemeteries in Wellington

Cemeteries in and around Wellington

I couldn't find a comprehensive online list of cemeteries in greater Wellington, so I've compiled this one with denominations and approximate dates where I could find them. Dates are mostly taken from the NZSG indexes to the cemeteries. Online databases are available as noted. For other cemeteries, enquire at your council or local library to see if a transcription is available. Please send me additional information or corrections.

Wellington

Bolton Street Cemetery

1840-1967. Originally three cemeteries, for Anglican, non-conformist and Jewish burials. Closed 1892 after Karori opened, except for burials in existing plots; last burial in 1967. Searchable online at Wellington City Council.

Johnsonville Methodist

1876-now. The Methodist Church, which originally stood in front of this cemetery and fronted the Main Street, was demolished in 1973 to make way for the present building of the Johnsonville Licensing Trust. [Source: NZSG Early Wellington Settlers CD-ROM]

Johnsonville St John's

Anglican, 1847-1960. Details of headstones were recorded in the 1960s, and all headstones were removed from the cemetery by 1975. Burial records are held by the vicar.

Karori Cemetery

Aka Wellington Public Cemetery. Large municipal cemetery opened in 1891 and now closed except for burials in existing plots. Makara cemetery became Wellington's main cemetery in 1965. Searchable online at Wellington City Council

Karori St Mary's

Anglican, 1863-1962. Some names online at Helen's Page.

Kilbirnie Cemetery

The cemetery that never was! The Cyclopedia of New Zealand has a description of all the amenities of Kilbirnie, and states "Kilbirnie also has a cemetery." The Wellington City Council did consider building a cemetery somewhere in the Melrose borough near the Town Belt (see Evening Post 27 Apr 1883) but after years of discussion they opted for the site at Karori (see above).

Makara Cemetery

1965 - now. Wellington's main cemetery. Searchable online at Wellington City Council .

Makara St Matthias

Anglican, 1877-1984. Small Anglican churchyard. See also Heritage New Zealand site.

Mount Street Cemetery

Catholic, 1851-1954,about 800 burials. Closed 1891 except for burials in existing family plots. See the Mount Street Cemetery website for an online database and information about the Friends of Mount Street Cemetery.

Ohariu Valley Holy Trinity

Anglican, 1873 - now. Some names online at Helen's Page.

Ohariu Valley St Joseph's

1875-1925. Small catholic cemetery. Some names online at Helen's Page. Records kept by Roman Catholic Church, Knight's Road, Lower Hutt. See also an article about the church and graveyard.

Sydney Street Cemetery

See Bolton Street Cemetery.

Tawa Flat Cemetery

1868 - 1952. Small churchyard. Burials online at Tawa Historical Society website.

Hutt Valley and Wainuiomata

The following Lower Hutt area cemeteries are searchable online at Hutt City Council website: Aglionby, Boulcott Farm, Christ Church Taita, Church Yard Hutt, Gear Meat Works, Homedale Methodist, Knox Presbyterian, Korokoro, Owhiti Urupa, Somes Island (Matiu), St James, Taita old cemetery, Te Puni and also some small private burial grounds.

Akatarawa Cemetery

1903- now. Searchable online at Upper Hutt City Council webpage

Bridge Street, Lower Hutt

Wesleyan, 1849-1985. Some names online at Helen's Page.

Knox Presbyterian,Lower Hutt

1857-1942, but no headstones survive.

Korokoro Cemetery

Catholic, 1853-1953.

Owhiti Urupa or Cemetery, Seaview,Lower Hutt

Maori, 1890 - 1979. See Whakapapa Club

St James, Lower Hutt

Anglican, 1841-1980.

St John's, Trentham

Anglican, 1864-1991. Some names online at Helen's Page.

St Joseph's, Upper Hutt

Catholic, 1871-1991. Some names online at Helen's Page.

Taita, Christ Church

Anglican, 1861-1985. Many early settlers buried here. Registered with Historic Places Trust. See Hutt City Council website.

Taita Public Cemetery

1892-1984. See Hutt City Council .

Te Puni Urupa or Cemetery, Petone

Maori, 1870 - 1976. See Whakapapa Club

Wainuiomata Methodist

The Wainuiomata Coast Road Churchyard was also known as the Homedale Methodist Churchyard, Wainuiomata. The earliest burial in the Churchyard was in 1862. Whilst originally intended as a Methodist place of worship, due to the isolation of Wainuiomata in the early days burials of all denominations can be found in the Churchyard. The Churchyard was closed for burials of bodies in 2009 by the Ministry of Health, but special arrangements can be made in certain circumstances for interment of ashes. As burials pre-date 1900, the Churchyard is a recognised archaeological site. See Hutt City Council website.

Wallaceville

Presbyterian, 1887-present? According to Upper Hutt City Council, this cemetery is also known as Wallaceville Hill Cemetery.