Grave concern about burial space in Hastings leads to cemetery's expansion

Mangaroa Cemetery near Hastings is expanding. Photo / Paul Taylor

Grave concern that Hastings will run out of burial space, has led to a council decision expand Mangaroa Cemetery.

A district council meeting on Thursday heard that current burial space across Hastings' four cemeteries, would run out in just over three years.

Councillors voted to expand Mangaroa Cemetery, freeing up space for an extra 5206 plots, which it is estimated will last almost 42 years.

Councillor Anne Redstone said she had some concerns around water issues at Mangaroa, after having a friend interred at Mangaroa Cemetery.

"The pump had to go continuously.

"In fact there was even doubt that it would happen."

"I'm a bit concerned about the water issues at Mangaroa, and I'm wondering how they can be addressed better."

Cemetery Manager Isak Bester said other burial grounds in the city had similar issues to Mangaroa when it comes to water.

"People go on about Mangaroa, it's got lots of water problems, and things like that, the other cemeteries are just as bad, some of them, the soil conditions are not as good as Mangaroa."

He said he has never seen a grave collapse at Mangaroa, where he has seen many collapse at other Hastings and Havelock North cemeteries.

Mangaroa is the only cemetery in Hastings capable of growing, with 5.6ha available for development.

On average 124 bodies are interred in cemeteries across Hastings each year, with 714 cremations and 200 ash interments.

However, Hastings has an ageing population, which means overtime the demand of interment facilities will increase.

Pre-purchased plots were put on hold in September 2017, to prevent council running out of spaces before new plots could be provided.

Napier City Council was also currently expanding cemetery space. team leader of reserves Debra Stewart said.

"Work is about to get underway on the first stage of the Western Hills Cemetery extension, which will provide another 1100 plots."

"An additional 600 plots will be provided for in the second stage."