About Makara Cemetery

Opening hours

Daily: 7.30am–dusk

Visiting Makara 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 Makara Cemetery with sections marked (630KB PDF)

Upcoming services

See upcoming services at both Makara and Karori Cemetery.

Grave decorations and maintenance

Cemetery staff maintain all grass and vegetation around plots at Makara 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

A new burial ground, Ngā Iwi o Te Motu Urupā, is now open for Māori and their whānau in the Makara cemetery. The design includes a pathway and a gathering area with two macrocarpa seats. Headstones will be west-facing.

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.

Makara 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.

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

For more information: Burials

Contact details

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