For the last few weeks starting in February 2025, the Pukekohe Cemetery Memorial Koomiti has been hosting a series of interactive sessions to engage with whaanau and the wider community.

Participation and support in these ‘Whanau Listening Sessions’ has so far, been wonderful.

It has been humbling to listen and to hear memories and stories, especially the ‘the stories within the story’, particularly from those whaanau and descendants of those at rest at the urupa.

Attendees at the February meeting of the Pukekohe Memorial Cemetery Koomiti

Starting April 2025, a series of public sessions are planned where engagement is sought from mana whenua and the wider community, all of whom will contribute their own diverse voices.

While Maaori whaanau represent the vast majority of unmarked graves, there are still those at rest who are of Paakeha, Indian and Chinese descent. They all deserve to be remembered and acknowledged.

To ensure the history and memories resonate with future generations, the Koomiti will also engage with local schools to educate, encourage and continue to listen to different perspectives.

One of the Koomiti’s goals is to apply the stories, insights and experiences gained from these Listening Sessions to help inform a design brief for a physical maumahara/memorial. It will be important that it reflects the values, memories, and aspirations of those it seeks to honour.

While no decisions as to the form, the artist or exact location of the memorial have been finalised, there will be opportunities for whaanau, mana whenua and the wider community to contribute ideas and provide feedback, before a consensus is reached.

The memorial will not belong to the Koomiti, the Local Board or any one group. This memorial belongs to whaanau and the community. It is essential their voices guide its creation.

We will be announcing the dates and details of these upcoming sessions.

In the meantime, we encourage you to sign up to receive updates from the Koomiti, or you can click here to see the upcoming sessions.

Nāku noa, na

Makere Rika-Heke
Pukekohe Cemetery Memorial Koomiti Chair