Plots decision welcomed

Those with ties to Pukerau can soon choose to be buried with family and loved ones.

Gore District councillors accepted a recommendation to allow the pre› purchasing of Pukerau Cemetery plots at a full council meeting last month.

The Pukerau Cemetery Support Group Trust is pleased with the decision.

Group secretary Margaret Pullar said it was something they had been pushing for.

‘‘Our loved ones were buried here,’’ she said.

‘‘The third generation of descendants of Pukerau and Kaiwera’s pioneers are now well into their 80s and 90s. Not only do they want to secure their own grave plots, but their children wish to be buried in plots beside them or close by,’’ Mrs Pullar said.

‘‘The people who have been brought up here as children have a very strong tie to Pukerau.

‘‘You meet people here who come from all over the place. People who have had their childhood here want to come back and be buried here.

‘‘This istheir home. This is their turangawaewae,’’ she said.

The cemetery support group spent the last five years working to improve Pukerau Cemetery. This included new developments such as a sign on State Highway 1, metalling the road to the cemetery and a new shelter.

‘‘A number of local residents have donated generously to these developments since 2016. Also local organisations and businesses, because they have firm connections with Pukerau and Kaiwera,’’ Mrs Pullar said.

Information boards were also planned , detailing the history of Pukerau and the people buried at the cemetery, she said.

In a report tabled at the council meeting, parks and recreation manager Keith McRobie said Pukerau Cemetery was a special case.

‘‘Pukerau Cemetery is a small community›based cemetery with strong links to the area’s history and families. Many of the current families have links back four to five generations.’’

Councils typically discourage pre› selling burial plots because of logistical issues.

However, at Pukerau Cemetery ‘‘this is not considered to be a huge risk,’’ Mr McRobie said.

‘‘Based on historic information and requests over the last three years, the council could expect to have three to four pre›purchased plots over and above those currently held.’’