Hillsborough Cemetery Explained

Hillsborough Cemetery
Established:1916
Country:New Zealand
Location:Hillsborough, Auckland
Coordinates:-36.926°N 174.752°W
Graves:18,000+
Findagraveid:2184387

Hillsborough Cemetery is a large cemetery located in the Auckland isthmus suburb of Hillsborough.

Location

The cemetery lies on a ridge at the south of the Auckland isthmus, overlooking the Manukau Harbour. The cemetery is split in two by a large forested valley, adjacent to the Hillsborough Reserve. Erosion is a problem for the cemetery, due to its hillside location. The cemetery is a part of the Waikōwhai Walkway,[1] which extends for 10km (10miles) linking Onehunga to Lynfield Cove.[2] Road access is by Clifton Road, off Hillsborough Road, Route 15.[3]

History

Hillsborough Cemetery is one of the older cemeteries in the Auckland Region.[4] It was purchased by the Onehunga Borough Council and established in 1916, to provide more space for burials as Waikaraka Cemetery, closer to Onehunga, no longer had available space.[5] During the first six years of operation, very few burials were undertaken at the cemetery, primarily of paupers along the eastern section along Goodall Street.[6] Onehunga Borough Council advertised for a caretaker for Hillsborough Cemetery in 1917,[7] when Waikaraka Cemetery was nearly full. Agreement was reached with Mount Roskill Road Board about access, though further discussed in 1923[8] and 1935.[9]

The cemetery was primarily in use between 1916 and 1976, and it served as an administration hub for the cemeteries of the area, and people were able to reach the cemetery through a bus service, which stopped within the cemetery.[6] The cemetery features sections for three religious orders: St Mary's of Ponsonby, Little Sisters of the Poor (also of Ponsonby) and the Sisters of the Good Shepherd, of Waikōwhai.[6]

The final plots in the cemetery were sold in 1974, however burials have continued in the reserved plots.[6] [10]

Burials

Some of the notable people buried at the cemetery include:

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Hillsborough Cemetery Loop: Waikōwhai Walkway. 2021-05-12. Auckland Council. en.
  2. Web site: Waikōwhai Walkway: Manukau coastal walk. 2021-05-12. Auckland Council. en.
  3. Web site: Nov 2015. Clifton Rd. 2021-05-12. Google Maps. en.
  4. Web site: Hillsborough Cemetery . . 14 February 2023.
  5. Web site: Waikōwhai Coast Heritage Study . Elizabeth . Pishief . Brendan . Shirley. August 2015. Auckland Council. 14 February 2023.
  6. 40–41.
  7. Web site: 8 Jan 1917. Auckland Star . 2021-05-12. paperspast.natlib.govt.nz.
  8. Web site: 7 Nov 1923. Hillsborough Cemetery. New Zealand Herald . 2021-05-12. paperspast.natlib.govt.nz.
  9. Web site: 12 Jun 1935. Hillsborough Cemetery. New Zealand Herald . 2021-05-12. paperspast.natlib.govt.nz.
  10. Web site: Cemetery Location Details. 2021-05-12. Auckland Council. en.
  11. News: Football Funeral – Buried with his Colours . The Auckland Star . 5 September 1927 . 5 . 4 September 2015.
  12. Web site: Cemeteries database . Auckland Council . 5 November 2015.
  13. News: Obituary . 5 December 2014 . . LXII . 19188 . 30 November 1925 . 10.