The Council has a requirement under the Burial and Cremation Act 1964 to provide for the burial needs of residents in the Christchurch District.

There is limited capacity within Christchurch’s existing cemeteries, particularly for full burials. Additional land is required to keep up with city demand, noting that Banks Peninsula cemeteries still have capacity for those with strong local ties.

The Council owns approximately 116 hectares of land at 173 Maddisons Road in Templeton, situated between a quarry and houses, with approximately 80ha having been earmarked for the city’s main future cemetery. The cemetery will provide an additional park-like barrier between the residential area and the quarry.

It is proposed the Whakatā (Christchurch) Cemetery will provide for the burial needs of the Christchurch community for up to the next 100 years.

Want to view the detailed breakdown of burial areas? This includes the areas designated for specific religious or cultural requirements, and areas with different design requirements. View or download the PDF version here.

We needed to identify a substantial area of underdeveloped, Council-owned land that could accommodate the city’s burial needs for the next 100 years.

The Templeton site met several environmental criteria, including suitable soil quality and being located outside any drinking water protection zones, and was considered the best location for a new cemetery.

Several other sites and options were considered and were not suitable for a variety of reasons. Two existing cemeteries were assessed for extension, but it would be expensive to acquire the land and develop, and both were likely to be very difficult to gain resource consent for. In both cases the land area would provide a fraction of burial capacity to what the Templeton land provides.

Other Council land in the north-west of the city was deemed incompatible with the nearby airport, while sizeable land parcels in other parts of the city are subject to flooding and/or high ground water levels.

The plan is for stage one, which is likely to provide capacity for at least 30 years. Following that, we'll make a plan for stage two (shown above). Space has also been set aside for a potential future sports park on the remaining approximately 30ha of Council land adjacent to the cemetery site, however, this is not being progressed as part of the current work.

A preliminary transport assessment has been carried out on the road network around the site to anticipate any potential effects that cemetery traffic may have. A detailed study will be undertaken at the design stage, following consultation and concept plan approval.

Check out the 2021 Preliminary Transport Assessment

We’re aware that the community have expressed concern about existing traffic volumes and road safety in Templeton. These are already being investigated outside of this project.

Two intersections near the site – Kirk Road/Maddisons Road and Kirk Road/Main South Road (SH1) – were identified as potential issues and evaluated in greater detail with transport modelling and onsite analysis. The following conclusions were made:

• Cemetery traffic is not expected to significantly impact the Kirk Road/Maddisons Road, even if most demand is for the right turn onto Kirk Road. Traffic on Kirk Road is forecast to be sufficiently low to allow the right turn to function to an appropriate level.
• Modelling indicates widening the Maddisons Road west approach to provide a left turning pocket would not significantly change the intersection’s operation and is not required.
• The Kirk Road/ SH1 intersection already has significantly delayed through and right turn movements from the Kirk Road north approach and cemetery traffic is likely to create more queuing at this location. There is little space to widen this approach, given the proximity of the Waterloo Road intersection, with the rail line and rail signal creating additional complexity.
• Cemetery traffic should be encouraged to avoid the Kirk Road/SH1 intersection – instead directed towards taking Maddisons Road to the East and Barters Road and Pound Road to access SH1 at the signalised Pound Road/SH1 intersection. This could be done by signage and providing information to funeral homes to pass on. This approach would reduce the impact of cemetery traffic on the Templeton community.

• We have considered where speed limits for access ways need to be amended and when shoulder widening should be carried out, to ensure the safety of accessways.
• It is recommended to widen the existing narrow footpath along the Kirk Road site boundary into cemetery land to create a shared use path, creating a link between the cemetery and the Templeton community for recreation.
• Detailed design for the Kirk Road access must maintain safety for users of the footpath or shared use path when considering the left turn treatment to be used.

Overall, it is expected that traffic impacts from the cemetery can be managed through travel demand management measures. This could include signage to divert vehicles away from potential traffic issues, such as away from Kirk Road and on to Pound Road, scheduling interments to avoid large numbers of people departing during peak traffic times and distributing traffic among the site accesses.

The cemetery will provide recreational space and will create additional connections through Templeton for pedestrians and cyclists.

Through our design we want to create a serene, peaceful and respectful space that meets the diverse needs of our community.

This requires careful consideration of location, environmental impact, accessibility, cultural sensitivities and spiritual values.

Cemetery design has evolved to include multi-functional, open park-like settings with memorial features that blend with the landscape and use space efficiently while incorporating and reflecting cultural and religious values.

There will be use of buffer zones, created with careful plantings of trees and shrubs, to minimise visual impacts for nearby residents.

• There will be a standard burial plot provided.
• Burials areas will be designated for specific religions and to meet cultural requirements.
• Burial areas with specific design requirements, such as for infants, will be catered for.

• Access will be provided via a main entrance on Maddisons Road and a secondary entrance on Kirk Road.
• There will also be a maintenance entrance on Maddisons Road, with no public access, and different pedestrian only entrances.
• The wider transport network has been taken into consideration, looking at links for people to travel to and from the cemetery and the impacts on the Templeton community.

• A shared ceremonial space will be built.
• Public toilets will be built within the cemetery, as well as covered shelters.

• Trees and plantings will be used to create buffer zones and subtly define certain areas within the cemetery, forming smaller private spaces and a beautiful, landscaped environment.

• Seating, appropriate signage and rubbish bins will be located throughout the cemetery.
• There is potential for additional recreation features, with areas to relax in a peaceful, parklike environment and green linkages allowing pedestrian and cycling connections for the community.