Cemeteries Bylaw review
We’re updating our Cemeteries Bylaw and want your input to make sure our cemeteries are meeting the needs of our community. This bylaw helps ensure our cemeteries are well-managed and operate efficiently.
It was last updated in 2019.
What’s changing?
The proposed changes reflect the evolving needs of our community, and enable Council to meet its levels of service, including providing for natural burials – an outcome of the Long Term Plan 2021-31.
Natural burials: More people are choosing natural burials, and many councils already offer them. Here in the Western Bay, we are looking to provide natural burials at Te Puke Cemetery. However natural burials have different requirements, so the bylaw needs to be updated to support this.
Wider burial plots: Most burial plots are 1400mm wide, but there's increasing demand for wider plots. Our cemeteries have plenty of space for future generations (except Katikati Cemetery), so having the option to offer some wider plots will have minimal implications.
You can read the Statement of Proposal to find out more about the proposed changes. The full draft bylaw can be viewed here.
Your feedback matters!
Let us know whether we’ve got these proposed changes right, how could we improve them or if we’ve missed anything.
You can join the kōrero in the following ways:
- Online, wānanga ipurangi - You can complete our online feedback form below.
- Hard copy, pepa mārō - Drop your feedback off at any of our Library and Service Centres in Waihī Beach, Katikati, Ōmokoroa, Te Puke or to the main Council Office at Barkes Corner.
- In person, ā kanohi - If you would like to provide your feedback to Council in person on 29 April, please email yourplace@westernbay.govt.nz by 22 April 2025 to secure a timeslot.
- Email, īmēra - yourplace@westernbay.govt.nz
- Or post, mēra - Send your feedback to: Cemeteries Bylaw Review, Western Bay of Plenty District Council, Private Bag 12803, Tauranga Mail Centre, Tauranga 3143.
Consultation closes at 5pm on Tuesday 22 April 2025.
