About Mākara Cemetery

Opening hours, key sections and a brief history of Mākara Cemetery.

Entrance gateway at Makara Cemetery.
Entrance gateway at Makara Cemetery

Opening hours

April to September
Daily: 6.30am to 6pm

October to March
Daily: 6.30am to 8pm

Visiting Mākara Cemetery

The cemetery is not staffed. If you need to talk to someone, contact Karori Cemetery:

Email: cemeteries@wcc.govt.nz
Phone: 04 476 6109

When you visit

  • There is very limited internet coverage.
  • Parking is available at the cemetery roadsides unless indicated by yellow lines.
  • The cemetery rows are signposted.

Map of Mākara Cemetery with sections marked (630KB PDF)

Upcoming services

See upcoming services at both Mākara and Karori Cemetery.

Grave decorations and maintenance

Cemetery staff maintain all grass and vegetation around plots at Mākara Cemetery.

Decorations may be placed on the concrete beam next to the headstone or plaque but not the grass in front of, or behind the plot, as we need to maintain and mow these areas. Decorations on the lawn will be removed. 

Ngā Iwi o Te Motu Urupā - burial ground

Ngā Iwi o Te Motu Urupā (burial ground) in Mākara cemetery is for Māori and their whānau. The design includes a pathway and a gathering area with two macrocarpa seats. Headstones are west-facing.

Guides

Our Cemeteries Management Plan is based on recognising people’s different views and beliefs. Find out more in our guides:

Brief history

In 1940 as Karori Cemetery edged towards full capacity, the Board of Health required Wellington city to find another burial site for the population.

Mākara was the chosen location. Land was bought under the Public Works Act in 1951 and 1955, and the first burial occurred in 1965. The cemetery is currently about one-third full.

Mākara Cemetery is the first New Zealand cemetery to offer natural burials.

For more information: Burials

Contact us

Address: 237 Mākara Road, Mākara
Phone: 04 476 6109
Email: cemeteries@wcc.govt.nz