About the Trust

Our Objectives

The Trust's Business

The Historic Cemeteries Conservation Trust of New Zealand was formed as a charitable body in January 2002. The present trustees are:

The formation of the Trust arose out of a growing concern that as families are formed, re-formed, and disappear, as people continue to move within New Zealand, and as funerary practices and customs continue to change, an increasing number of New Zealand’s cemeteries would deteriorate. Whereas in North America, Australia, and in many countries in Europe, cemetery conservation has been accepted as a community responsibility and widely undertaken, in New Zealand both the theory and practice are largely unknown. Rather the notion endures that the care and conservation of cemeteries is more a family or private than a community or civic responsibility. It is this notion which the Trust seeks to change, to encourage communities throughout New Zealand to recognize that their cemeteries are important cultural and historical symbols and resources.

The Trust has elected to begin a nation-wide effort by having conservation plans drawn up for two of Dunedin’s most "in need" cemeteries, the Northern and Southern Cemeteries. Proposals for conservation plans have been secured from five consultants in Australia and New Zealand. It is intended that these plans will form models for application and implementation throughout New Zealand, with the Trust offering advice, guidance, and encouragement to local authorities, cemetery trustees, and friends of cemeteries organizations. A Conservation Plan will be required, with respect to each cemetery, to consider three major issues, namely: what is its historical and cultural value? What is its condition? and What needs to be done to conserve it? It will also include a public consultation programme, to ensure that the community as a whole as well as specific stakeholders are given the opportunity to participate in and contribute to the preparation of the conservation plans.

Through cemetery conservation we seek to preserve the memorial places of our forebears.

Whilst cemetery conservation is an established practice in some parts of the world, in New Zealand both the concept and practice are new.
 
It is becoming increasingly apparent that as families are formed and reformed, as some families disappear and as others move, cemeteries and grave-sites will become a community rather than a family responsibility.

Cemeteries offer us a sense of continuity and connectedness with the past, and they serve as a unique visual record of our shared past.

The Trust has been established with the principal aim of identifying and preserving New Zealand's historic cemeteries as an essential element of this nation's cultural heritage.

The Trust, formed in January 2002 is operated by a group of trustees with the skills necessary to achieve its objectives. It also recognises the importance of working with other like minded organisations and individuals who can assist in achieving the Trust's objectives. The Trust members meet monthly to conduct the business of cemeteries conservation in all its functions top of page

For their preservation, historic cemeteries require appropriate care and attention. Whilst local bodies and local trusts take care of administration and ground maintenance of our cemeteries, there is no one body which can offer the resources that conservation requires. The Trust's foremost objective is to encourage and facilitate the conservation of our cemeteries and their built architecture through the application of the appropriate procedures.                    top of page

• To act as the prime source of information on the conservation of Historic cemeteries through out New Zealand. Historic is defined as those cemeteries which have been established for 50 + years
• To initiate cemetery conservation values and establish conservation priorities
• To advise and cooperate with interested groups and individuals in the conservation of family graves and to facilitate a broad understanding of the importance of cemetery conservation for future generations
• To create awareness of the role of cemeteries in the fabric of our society and as a repository of historic significance
• To set meaningful guidelines for the establishment of communities of interest in cemetery conservation
• To assist in the formulation of conservation plans for historic cemeteries                                                                   top of page

• The Trust aims to raise funds to assist with the coordination and understanding of the various requirements for the conservation of cemeteries and conduct its business at all times with the express purpose of facilitating the conservation programme for historic cemeteries
• The Trust will engage in a range of activities associated with cemeteries that will facilitate the promotion of conservation values, awareness of the Trusts activities and fund raising, and develop public education programmes with the express purpose of creating awareness and an interest in cemetery conservation in line with the Trust's objectives
• To form strategic alliances with other groups where cooperation with these groups will enhance the conservation of historic cemeteries and achieve the Trust's conservation objectives
• To encourage the formation of local organisations (Friends) to assume responsibility for the professional conservation of historic cemeteries and to provide appropriate support and assistance to these groups.

National Trust of Australia (New South Wales) Guidelines for Cemetery Conservation

Celestina Sagazio (Editor) Cemeteries Our Heritage

James Semple Kerr The Conservation Plan

Should you require more information on the Trust or be interested in furthering the work of the Trust please contact:

The Historic Cemeteries Conservation Trust of New Zealand
Stewart Harvey - Trust Chairman
65 Every Street, Dunedin
Phone 03 454 5384
Email stewarth@orcon.net.nz