Taitā cemetery

Find out about the hours and services available at Taitā Cemetery.

About Taita Cemetery

Taitā Cemetery opened in 1892. It was the first public cemetery in Lower Hutt.

Before 1892, burials took place privately in church burial grounds, urupa, or nearby cemeteries such as the Bolton Street cemetery in Wellington. The first recorded interment took place in March 1892. Some burials were not recorded and there are gaps in the early burial registers.

The cemetery was administered by the Taitā Cemetery Trust Board with support from Hutt County Council until 1948. When Taitā became part of Lower Hutt City in 1946, the authorities decided it would be more effective for Lower Hutt City Council to manage the cemetery.

The original cemetery is known as the Old Monumental Cemetery. A new section of the cemetery, known as Taitā Lawn Cemetery opened in 1952. Today the cemetery is mostly full and only selected burials can be accommodated.

The Old Monumental Section

This part of Taitā Cemetery is mostly for religious groups and communities. It's not available for first burials, but subsequent interments (burial of a casket or contained cremated remains) still take place here.

The Taitā Lawn Cemetery

The Taitā Lawn Cemetery is now closed for first interments of caskets but is available for second and third body interments in existing (family) plots or contained cremated remains (ashes). Within the Taitā Lawn Cemetery there is a bush trail, where cremated remains can be interred surrounded by native bush, and a memorial tree area. There is also a Services Cemetery for Returned Service People and options for memorial-only plots where there is to be no interment.

Note: You cannot re-purchase plots.

Ash scattering

You cannot scatter ashes in any cemetery or Council facility, including garden areas, lawns and streams.

This policy has been made out of respect for the wishes of Tangata Whenua and environmental reasons.

Purchasing a plot

There are several types of plots available at Taitā Lawn Cemetery.

These include:

• Ashes lawn plots
• Ashes garden plots
• Ponga Trail ash plots
• Memorial tree ash plots
• Memorial plots
• RSA ash wall and plots - Contact Veterans' Affairs for allocation
• Stillborn/baby plots

Note: There are no longer body burial plots available for adults. New body burial plots are available to Lower Hutt residents at Akatarawa Cemetery.

Akatarawa Cemetery

Booking a burial

A funeral director should be your first point of call if you’re arranging a funeral.

All body burial bookings must be arranged by a funeral director. Body burials are only available as additional interments into existing body burial plots.

Find a funeral director

Ash interments can be arranged without a funeral director. If you do not have an existing plot please fill out an Application to lease a plot and we will get in contact with you. Once your plot is confirmed you can book the ash interment.

Interment booking request

Location

• Old Monumental Section: Kowhai Street opposite Naenae Road, Naenae
• Taitā Lawn Cemetery: Northern end of Rimu Street, Naenae

Cemetery map

Opening hours

Pedestrian access is available at all times throughout the year.

General information

• Lawn-style plots are for body and ash burials. You must use a standard sized headstone or plaque.
  • Download our headstone guidelines
• Ashes plots include lawn and garden areas. All ash urns need to be weatherproof.
• All plots are sold as next available. You cannot pick a specific number.

Contact details

• Email: cemetery@huttcity.govt.nz
• Phone: 04 570 6666