Rotorua Cemeteries Face Maintenance Concerns, Council Cites Growing Conditions
Recent maintenance issues at Rotorua cemeteries, including weeds growing taller than headstones, have prompted disappointment from mourners. While the Rotorua Lakes Council acknowledges the concerns, they attribute the overgrowth to favorable growing conditions rather than budget cuts, stating that maintenance is carried out on a scheduled basis.
Concerns Raised by Bereaved Family
Karen Gardiner, who regularly visits the grave of her daughter Kristi-Rae Ruri-Gardiner at Kauae Cemetery, expressed her dismay at the deteriorating conditions. Gardiner has visited the cemetery weekly since her daughter’s burial in 2010. She noted a significant decline in maintenance over the past few months, describing it as “the worst I’ve seen in 15 years.” She observed that mowing is often incomplete, leaving weeds to flourish around the edges of plots.
Gardiner also highlighted concerns about a separate section of Kauae Cemetery where the ashes of her parents and grandmother are interred, which she says is no longer regularly mowed. Despite personally maintaining her daughter’s gravesite, she worries about those who are unable to do so.
“Not everybody lives in Rotorua, and I think they would be gutted if they came and saw the mess that’s there at the moment,” she stated. She paid $1000 for the plot, which included maintenance.
Community Disappointment and Council Response
Concerns about the condition of Rotorua cemeteries were also voiced on a local Facebook page, with residents describing the facilities as “neglected, overgrown and disrespected,” “disgusting,” and “disappointing.”
Rotorua Lakes Council community experience group manager Alex Wilson confirmed that council staff conducted mowing and weeding at Kauae Cemetery on Monday and Tuesday as part of scheduled maintenance, with spraying planned for later in the week. Stuff
Wilson acknowledged concerns about the condition of Rotorua’s council-managed cemeteries and emphasized the importance of these spaces to families. She stated that while staffing levels have remained consistent, the council is actively working to fill existing vacancies.
The council attributes the recent growth to summer conditions, noting that vegetation can grow quickly during peak periods. They encourage community members to report any overgrowth to their customer service team for prompt attention. RNZ
Cemetery Management and Oversight
The Rotorua Lakes Council manages the Rotorua Cemetery and Crematorium on Sala Street, as well as cemeteries in Mamaku, Reporoa, and Ngākuru. Kauae Cemetery is also operated and maintained by the council, while a separate board of trustees governs it. Rotorua Lakes Council
Kauae Urupā/Cemetery Trust Board trustee Kingi Biddle stated that the board had not received any direct complaints regarding the maintenance issues but would collaborate with the council to ensure proper upkeep. He emphasized the historical and cultural significance of Kauae Cemetery as a long-standing resting place for the community.