Kia ora and welcome to the first edition of Queenstown Lakes District Council's newsletter for our Cemeteries and Heritage. We'll provide updates a couple of times a year on activities and developments happening in this space.

Hāwea Cemetery Trust Hands Over Operations

Hāwea Cemetery, QLDC 2024

The Hāwea Cemetery has been a burial space since the late 1800s, with responsibility being passed through Vincent County Council in the 1930s prior to its eventual vesting to Queenstown Lakes District Council (QLDC) in 2007. However, the Hāwea Cemetery Trust have been responsible for the burial operations in the cemetery for almost half a century. 

Following the recent retirement of long-time sexton Donald Urquhart, the remaining Trustees have decided to retire, effectively dissolving the Cemetery Trust. Monumental thanks to Donald for his decades of service to the Hāwea/Upper Clutha community! This means that the operational responsibilities of the cemetery are passed to QLDC, effective 1 July 2025. For those seeking records information, this is available on our QLDC Cemeteries webpage, and those needing assistance with interments that will now be handled by QLDC via cemeteries@qldc.govt.nz.  

Update to Cemeteries Fees and Charges

The User Fees and Charges for many of the services QLDC provides was reviewed in early 2025. This included an increase to our Cemeteries Fees, by current Consumer Price Index only. These changes were approved by Council on 26 June and came into effect on 1 July 2025. Please visit our QLDC Cemeteries webpage to find the list of updated Cemetery Fees. 

Monumental Mason Health and Safety Requirements

Headstone repairs by New Zealand Master Monumental Masons’ Association, Queenstown Cemetery 2022

We're preparing to update the QLDC Cemeteries Handbook in November 2025 and have been reviewing some of our operational regulations. After consulting with the QLDC Legal Team, we've clarified that monumental masons operating in QLDC cemetery reserves who are contracted by individuals with Holder of Right to a plot will not have the same health and safety requirements as those contracted directly by QLDC. Specifically, mason service providers contracted by plot holders will not need to provide SiteWise certification to QLDC, while those contracted to undertake works by QLDC directly will need to provide this certification. This update, along with many others, will be included in the newest handbook version, but if you need more information prior, please contact cemeteries@qldc.govt.nz.     

Frankton Cemetery Wall Stabilisation and Repairs

Our partners at Kā Huanui a Tāhuna - Whakatipu Transport Programme Alliance (WTPA) have LIDAR scanned (image above, WTPA 2025) the 155-year-old Frankton Cemetery front walls and entry gates. This means they can monitor any movement in the structure down to the millimetre while roading works are completed. It's part of their proactive approach to protecting the walls, which will also include partial dismantling and putting up support structures along the front wall during their works along State Highway 6 over the next two-three years. Other sections of the historic wall where weakness was observed have already been restored (images below, QLDC and WTPA 2025).

Additionally, pedestrian access into the Frankton Cemetery will remain during the roadworks along State Highway 6. For access, please park within the 1 Hansen Road development (near to the new parking garage) and use the footpath along the cemetery wall to walk around to the main front entrance of the cemetery.

New Entrance and Roadway in Queenstown Cemetery

More improvements to the Queenstown Cemetery have recently been completed! A new turning head along the internal cemetery roadway is now in place (upper image, QLDC 2025) along with steps leading from Brecon Street up and onto the internal roadway (lower image, QLDC 2024). Thank you to our partners at Skyline for the installation of the steps! A temporary detour of the Tiki Trail through the cemetery, utilising the steps and improved roadway, will be in place until October 2025 (anticipated).

Queenstown Cemetery Final Slip Clearance Scheduled

Queenstown Cemetery slip site, QLDC 2024

The Queenstown Cemetery reopened in December 2023 following a severe weather event and subsequent slip in September 2023. Remedial works have been undertaken within Te-Taumata-o-Hakitekura Ben Lomond Reserve above the cemetery since that time. From mid-July to early-October (anticipated), works will begin at the top of the cemetery to remove the final debris material and rebuild the historic stone wall. The Queenstown Cemetery will be closed for a day on Monday, 4 August for a single tree felling operation. Over the duration of works there will be increased heavy vehicle movements through the main cemetery road and entrance, and the northern portion of the cemetery will be fenced off as a designated work site. Once the debris is cleared, a pedestrian bridge will be built to restore access to the Tiki Trail from the Brecon Street entrance at the base of the Reserve. If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to cemeteries@qldc.govt.nz. 

More Cemeteries Ground Penetrating Radar Completed!

Heritage Incentive Grant Recipients for April 2025

St John’s Church (presbyterian). Interior view towards entrance and trefoil window. Nov 2011. Christine Whybrew. Heritage New Zealand.

QLDC is pleased to announce the Heritage Incentive Grant recipients for the April 2025 funding round! We had six applicants, all of which we were able to award the maximum funds allottable for their heritage asset category. The grant recipients are:

We are currently working on adjusting the Heritage Incentive Grant criteria and will provide an update to our heritage partners when that is finalised. The next round of Heritage Incentive Grant funding is expected to open 1 October 2025 and closes 1 November 2025.

Community Fund Grant Awarded

The Head of the Lake Museum and Heritage Group in Glenorchy was awarded a Community Fund Grant in 2024 to undertake minor restoration works on the iconic “Red Shed” along the Glenorchy waterfront. A heritage assessment is now complete with final report to be reviewed and decisions on work to progress are being made - so over the next two years, expect to see this iconic shed undergoing some community-led restoration.

Glenorchy Railway Shed, Category 3 Heritage Feature, QLDC 2024

One Mile Powerhouse Remedial Works Begun

Minor restoration works have begun on One Mile Powerhouse (image above prior to works commencing, QLDC 2024), a Category 2 listed heritage feature located up the One Mile Track off Fernhill Road. The roof, gutters, windows, and exterior of the building have been cleaned and prepped for painting which will take place in spring, when conditions are better for this type restoration work. The surrounding seating area and signage have all been tidied with the seats to be refinished in the spring as well (images below following first phase of remedial works, QLDC 2025). This asset will be added to the Parks ongoing maintenance schedule going forward.