Thanks to everyone who submitted feedback on this project

We received a total of 51 submissions about Whakatā Cemetery, from 46 individuals and the following organisations:

• Templeton Residents Association
• Templeton RSA
• Kirant Society of New Zealand Incorporated
• Dharma Yodha New Zealand Incorporated
• Disabled Persons Assembly New Zealand

What you told us

Overall, 38% of submitters supported the plans, 22% somewhat supported, and 30% did not support.

• The 30% who did not support the plans were all Templeton residents or businesses.
• 83% of submitters outside of Templeton supported the plans.

What submitters liked about the plan:

• That it provides a park-like asset/the landscaping (15)
• That it responds to diverse needs (10)
• The layout (6)
• That it seems peaceful (6)

What submitters didn't like was:

• Increased traffic resulting from the development, with impacts particularly on Kirk Road which some locals described as already dangerous (11)
• Fears of the cemetery devaluing local properties including through proximity to a cemetery and loss of view (8)
• Safety concerns surrounding the cemetery i.e. anti-social behaviour (7)
• The infant burial area being inappropriate due to its close proximity to young families and/or the school (7)
• The pathway being too close to residential property on Roydon Drive (5)

Submitters requested:

• Phase 2 to be developed first (8)
• For existing traffic issues (particularly on Kirk Road) to be addressed prior to adding more traffic to the area (6)

You can read more about what we heard in the meeting agenda below, which includes the staff report. To read all the feedback we received, look at the submission table below.

Meeting details and decision making process

A staff report recommending approval of the concept plan for Whakatā Cemetery will be presented to the Waipuna Halswell-Hornby-Riccarton Community Board. The Community Board will consider written and oral submissions as well as staff advice before forming a recommendation that they will present to the full Council, who will make the final decision.

Date: Tuesday 10 February 2026

Time: from 4:30pm

Venue: Rārākau Riccarton Centre, 199 Clarence Street, Riccarton.

This is a public meeting and everyone is welcome. If you would like to speak at the meeting, please contact the Community Board Advisor, Faye Collins by emailing faye.collins@ccc.govt.nz or phoning (03) 941 5108.

You can read the meeting agenda, including the staff report and any additional information, from Wednesday 4 February online at councillive.ccc.govt.nz

The final decision is recorded in the meeting minutes, available online three working days after the meeting.