Thank you to everyone who took the time to provide feedback. We received four submissions on this topic, which were all supportive of changing the classification back to Local Purpose (Cemetery) Reserve.

Submission comments noted the importance of respecting the original gifting and the need to maintain a quality area on a key entry point to the city.

Following the consultation, Council approved the change of classification at a Council meeting on 26 August 2021.

Background

In 2021, Rotorua Lakes Council proposed to change the reserve classification of part of the Rotorua Cemetery Reserve. The reason for the proposed change of classification is to appropriately recognise the original gifting of the reserve by the people of Ngāti Whakaue for cemetery purposes and to ensure it can be adequately used for this purpose.

Council sought public feedback on the proposal to change the reserve classification of part of Rotorua Cemetery Reserve.

The Rotorua Cemetery Reserve, located on the corner of Te Ngae Road and Sala Street, was originally gifted to the Crown by the people of Ngāti Whakaue for cemetery purposes.

In 1995, the classification of part of the Cemetery Reserve was changed from Local Purpose (Cemetery) Reserve to Recreation Reserve following a public notification, submission and hearing process. The purpose for the change in reserve classification was to enable a lease to be granted for a short hole golf activity. The lease for the short hole golf activity ended in 2020.

Council would like to use the site previously occupied by the short hole golf activity for memorial and cemetery purposes including memorial gardens and additional sites for ash interments.

The change in reserve classification is required to enable the use of the reserve for this purpose and would also appropriately recognise the purpose for which the reserve was originally gifted by the people of Ngāti Whakaue.

Reserves Act

The Reserves Act 1977 is the main piece of legislation that governs the administration of public reserves. Under the Reserves Act Council is a reserve administering body and is responsible for managing the reserves under its control. This includes ensuring the classification of each reserve is consistent with the purpose of that reserve.

Under Section 24 of the Reserves Act, Council is required to publicly notify the proposed change of reserve classification and allow persons claiming to be affected by the proposal an opportunity to make submissions in writing. Council is then required to consider all submissions as soon as practicable. If, having considered the submissions, Council choose to proceed with the proposal, the change of classification will be notified in the NZ Gazette.