About the proposed changes to Te Ture ā-Rohe mo ngā Wāhi Tapu me ngā Whare Tahu Tupāpaku 2014 / The Cemeteries and Crematoria Bylaw 2014

This consultation closed on 13 November 2020. Thank you for having your say.

We received two feedback responses; one in support of the proposal and one in support of ash scattering (which is out of scope to the proposal).

Low public feedback was expected because the Bylaw solely establishes the framework to make the rules. The rules are contained in the existing Cemeteries and Crematoria Code of Practice 2014. Greater interest is expected when the Code is reviewed at a later date.

Read the feedback provided online or a summary of the Have Your Say event for more details on the feedback given.

Changes made in response to feedback

As a result of your feedback we decided to adopt the proposal as publicly notified, with effect from 1 March 2021 instead of 1 June 2021.

This is because there was no public feedback which could have resulted in changes to the proposal, there were no other matters identified requiring consideration, and the amendments do not impact operational matters.

What happens next

The Governing Body adopted the changes to the Bylaw on 25 February 2021.

The changes take effect from 1 March 2021.

The existing Cemeteries and Crematoria Code of Practice 2014 continues to apply.

Summary of the proposed changes

We proposed changes to clarify the wording of the Cemeteries and Crematoria Bylaw 2014 to make it easier to read, understand and comply with.

The Bylaw provides a framework that manages activities at council cemeteries and crematoria by enabling council to make rules in a separate Cemeteries and Crematoria Code of Practice. No changes were proposed to what the Bylaw does.

Other aspects of the Bylaw remain unchanged

Other aspects of the Bylaw and its implementation remain unchanged, for example:

• the ability remains for council to make and amend a separate code of practice containing rules for activities in council owned or operated cemeteries and crematoria
• the existing Cemeteries and Crematoria Code of Practice 2014 continues to apply and will be separately reviewed at a later date
• the Bylaw continues to only regulate council cemeteries and crematoria (for example, the Bylaw does not regulate burial, cremation or ash scattering outside of council cemeteries and crematoria, and does not regulate the funeral services sector)
• the ability remains for all local boards (for closed cemeteries), and the Governing Body and Aotea / Great Barrier Local Board (for open cemeteries) to make decisions about cemetery development and maintenance.