Council begins review of cemeteries bylaw

Published on 23 September 2021

Whanganui District Council is beginning a review of the Cemeteries and Crematoria Bylaw 2016.

At the strategy and finance committee meeting on Tuesday, councillors approved the proposal to undertake a substantive review of the bylaw.

The bylaw sets out the regulations for burials and cremations in public, council-owned and administered cemeteries and crematoria in the district. It also specifies the appropriate behaviour of the public and staff in these spaces.

The bylaw was introduced in 2016, and is due for its five-year review. The council has until August 2023 to put in place an updated bylaw before the current one lapses.

Policy team leader, Elise Broadbent, says there are several groups in Whanganui that have particular interests in matters related to burials, cemeteries and cremations, including iwi, the Hindu community and the RSA.

“The council is looking to establish an advisory panel that will include representatives from these groups, along with several councillors.”

Elise Broadbent says the advisory panel will assist officers in the review, sharing insights and working collaboratively through some of the issues relating to burials and cremations in the district.

Work with the advisory group is expected to commence in November with broader public feedback sought later this year.

The new bylaw and associated policies are expected to be adopted in early 2023.