Whanganui District Council project to identify unmarked graves of people who died in state care

Whanganui District Council is encouraging people with knowledge of unmarked graves related to deaths in state care to come forward. Photo / NZME

A project is underway to honour unmarked graves of people who died in state care in Whanganui.

The Whanganui District Council project aims to ensure those who died in care, without formally recorded graves, are recognised, remembered and honoured with dignity and respect.

The project is in response to recommendations from the Abuse in Care Royal Commission of Inquiry’s final report, Whanaketia – Through pain and trauma, from darkness to light, released in 2024.

Chief infrastructure officer Lance Kennedy said the council acknowledged the “deep and lasting harm and trauma endured by survivors of abuse and neglect in care”.

The council also acknowledged the “profound grief” experienced by their families.

“Through this project, the council will work closely with local communities, tangata whenua and organisations with knowledge of survivors and former patients,” Kennedy said.

“This collaborative approach will help ensure that identification of unmarked graves and commemorations are conducted in a culturally appropriate, sensitive and inclusive way.”

The project applies to the five council-owned cemeteries at Aramoho, Pākaraka, Matarawa, Heads Rd and Brunswick.

The Government’s Survivor Support and Recognition Fund is supporting the initiative, with the Crown Response Office partnering with Community Operations Hāpai Hapori to administer the project.

The fund supports councils and community groups to memorialise and honour those who died in care and are buried in unmarked graves, in ways that reflect the needs and values of local communities.

Once the unmarked graves are identified, members of the community will be consulted.

“This project represents an important step towards acknowledging past wrongs, supporting healing for affected communities and ensuring that those who died in care are remembered appropriately,” Kennedy said.

The council invites anyone with knowledge of unmarked graves, or who wishes to be involved in the planned unveiling and blessing ceremonies, to contact yourcouncil@whanganui.govt.nz.