Kororāreka / Russell cemetery extension officially opened

The new extension to the Kororāreka / Russell Cemetery was officially opened last month, marking an important milestone for the local community and providing much needed additional burial space.

The extension, located behind the existing cemetery on Queens View Road, has been developed on a 2200m² parcel of land generously donated by a local resident. The existing cemetery had reached capacity, and the new area helps address ongoing demand.

From mid-February 2026, 20 ash berms and 20 burial plots will be made available for purchase.

Given the popularity of the Russell Cemetery, the council will apply clear and consistent rules to manage demand and ensure fair access:

• Plot reservations can be made at the time of burial for an immediate family member (partner, child, sibling or grandparent).
• One application may be submitted for each burial.
• Subject to availability, families may reserve up to two additional plots beside the burial plot of their loved one.

• Each plot is issued with a Certificate of Title registered to one individual. Where a second plot is reserved, it must be registered to a different individual.

This stage of the development has delivered new lawn burial plots and ash berms, enhanced landscaping, improved safety at the front of the carpark, and the installation of a pou. The pou stands as a place of acknowledgement and respect for the kōiwi (human remains) discovered at nearby Oneroa Bay (Long Beach) in 2020, which were carefully reburied within the existing cemetery.

The council thanks the Kororāreka / Russell community for its patience throughout the various stages of the project and acknowledges the generosity of those who helped make the cemetery extension possible.