Checking cemetery capacity

The Funeral Directors Association of NZ (FDANZ) says anyone preplanning a funeral should ask a funeral director if there are options in their area for prepurchasing a burial or ash plot as this avoids future council price rises.

It also means they can check the present capacity of a cemetery and whether there will be space there in the future for themselves or their family.

Auckland Council cemetery services manager Nikki Nelson discussed the availability of burial plots and ash interments at cemeteries around Rodney with Mahurangi Matters.

Warkworth Cemetery

Warkworth Cemetery has capacity for full body burials until approximately 2027 and for ash interments until 2028. While the current number of available plots is sufficient based on average booking trends, the addition of new berms (plots of burials) is planned for future years to ensure continued availability.

Te Kapa Cemetery

Te Kapa Cemetery at Mahurangi East currently has a significant number of available burial plots. Ash interments are expected to be accommodated for at least the next 20 years, with body burial capacity projected until 2031. Similar to Warkworth, new berm development is anticipated in future years, aligned with demand trends and capacity planning.

Kaipara Flats Cemetery

Kaipara Flats Cemetery is projected to have capacity for ash interments until 2034 and body burials until 2031. While there is currently sufficient availability, we have included the development of additional body berms in our work programme for financial year 2028 and beyond to support long-term planning.

Leigh Cemetery

Leigh Cemetery is currently inactive, with no available berms or further land for development. Burials (body or ash) are only permitted in existing prepurchased plots or where space remains within established family plots.

Puhoi Cemetery

Puhoi Cemetery has ash plot availability projected through to 2050, while body burial plots are expected to be available until around 2031. Additional berms will be developed in the future as needed, based on ongoing demand and utilisation patterns.

Future Development

Northern Satellite Cemeteries

Council is actively working on master planning for several northern satellite cemeteries, including Hoteo North, Kaukapakapa, Te Arai, and Wainui. These plans will guide future development of currently unused sections or the overall cemetery layout. Following completion of the master plans, berm development will be prioritised based on historical and projected usage.