Latest news with #DanielChrisp
Scoop
21-05-2025
- General
- Scoop
Honouring The People Behind New Zealand's Cemeteries And Crematoria
Press Release – New Zealand Cemeteries and Crematoria Collective New Zealand's cemeteries and crematoria are more than just spaces — they are places of remembrance, connection, and care. Tonight, the people and projects behind these vital community places were recognised at the 2025 Cemeteries Awards, held in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland as part of the Recreation Aotearoa Parks and Cemeteries Awards. The biennial Cemeteries Awards celebrate outstanding leadership, innovation, and service in the cemeteries and crematoria sector. Daniel Chrisp, NZCCC Ngā Rau Hotu Chair, said the awards shine a light on a sector that is vital but often works quietly in the background. 'Cemeteries and crematoria are important spaces in our communities. These awards recognise the people who care for them, and the people and communities they support — often during life's most difficult moments,' he said. Green Award 2025 The Green Award recognises effective climate action in cemeteries and crematoria operations. Invercargill City Council won the award for the sustainable practices it has introduced into its operations. These include replacing plastic urns with biodegradable wooden alternatives and restoring native habitat, which has welcomed back tūī, kererū, pīwakawaka, and ruru. The team also shifted to electric mowers and battery-powered tools, reducing emissions and enhancing tranquillity for visitors. Community Contribution Award 2025 Allan Dodson of Porirua War Stories received this award for his tireless advocacy in honouring New Zealand's service personnel. Allan has helped install over 15 veteran headstones for previously unmarked graves, restoring dignity to service members and their whānau. He also ensured the name of Leon Smith, killed in action in Afghanistan, was added to the Porirua Peace Memorial through meticulous historical research and community coordination. Individual Excellence Award 2025 Kelvin Tamihere of Gisborne District Council was recognised for outstanding leadership at Taruheru Cemetery. Known for his compassion and professionalism, Kelvin has supported whānau through challenging times, including during Cyclone Gabrielle. He continues to embody manaakitanga and uphold tikanga, leading health and safety initiatives and working closely with groups such as the Friends of Makaraka. Long Service Awards The following individuals were celebrated for their long-standing dedication and service to the cemeteries and crematoria sector in Aotearoa: Mary Climo, Porirua City Council Ricky Mulqueen, Invercargill City Council James Duffy, Citycare Properties Hayden Parr, Whāngarei City Council Elizabeth Reddington, Wellington City Council Ingro Shreck, Citycare Properties Sheree Stout, Auckland Council Life Membership Awards Life Membership was awarded to foundational figures of NZCCC Ngā Rau Hotu, recognising long-term commitment, leadership, and vision in shaping the cemeteries and crematoria sector: Mary Climo, Porirua City Council Jeff Paris, Wellington City Council Michelle Rivers, Hamilton City Council Clifton Thomson, Purewa Cemetery 'Cemeteries and crematoria are places where history, identity, and memory are held. They're spaces where people find connection and care during life's hardest moments. These awards honour those who work hard to honour the history, the memories, and the people,' said Chrisp.
Scoop
21-05-2025
- General
- Scoop
Honouring The People Behind New Zealand's Cemeteries And Crematoria
Press Release – New Zealand Cemeteries and Crematoria Collective Cemeteries and crematoria are places where history, identity, and memory are held. Theyre spaces where people find connection and care during lifes hardest moments. These awards honour those who work hard to honour the history, the memories, and … New Zealand's cemeteries and crematoria are more than just spaces — they are places of remembrance, connection, and care. Tonight, the people and projects behind these vital community places were recognised at the 2025 Cemeteries Awards, held in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland as part of the Recreation Aotearoa Parks and Cemeteries Awards. The biennial Cemeteries Awards celebrate outstanding leadership, innovation, and service in the cemeteries and crematoria sector. Daniel Chrisp, NZCCC Ngā Rau Hotu Chair, said the awards shine a light on a sector that is vital but often works quietly in the background. 'Cemeteries and crematoria are important spaces in our communities. These awards recognise the people who care for them, and the people and communities they support — often during life's most difficult moments,' he said. Green Award 2025 The Green Award recognises effective climate action in cemeteries and crematoria operations. Invercargill City Council won the award for the sustainable practices it has introduced into its operations. These include replacing plastic urns with biodegradable wooden alternatives and restoring native habitat, which has welcomed back tūī, kererū, pīwakawaka, and ruru. The team also shifted to electric mowers and battery-powered tools, reducing emissions and enhancing tranquillity for visitors. Community Contribution Award 2025 Allan Dodson of Porirua War Stories received this award for his tireless advocacy in honouring New Zealand's service personnel. Allan has helped install over 15 veteran headstones for previously unmarked graves, restoring dignity to service members and their whānau. He also ensured the name of Leon Smith, killed in action in Afghanistan, was added to the Porirua Peace Memorial through meticulous historical research and community coordination. Individual Excellence Award 2025 Kelvin Tamihere of Gisborne District Council was recognised for outstanding leadership at Taruheru Cemetery. Known for his compassion and professionalism, Kelvin has supported whānau through challenging times, including during Cyclone Gabrielle. He continues to embody manaakitanga and uphold tikanga, leading health and safety initiatives and working closely with groups such as the Friends of Makaraka. Long Service Awards The following individuals were celebrated for their long-standing dedication and service to the cemeteries and crematoria sector in Aotearoa: Mary Climo, Porirua City Council Ricky Mulqueen, Invercargill City Council James Duffy, Citycare Properties Hayden Parr, Whāngarei City Council Elizabeth Reddington, Wellington City Council Ingro Shreck, Citycare Properties Sheree Stout, Auckland Council Life Membership Awards Life Membership was awarded to foundational figures of NZCCC Ngā Rau Hotu, recognising long-term commitment, leadership, and vision in shaping the cemeteries and crematoria sector: Mary Climo, Porirua City Council Jeff Paris, Wellington City Council Michelle Rivers, Hamilton City Council Clifton Thomson, Purewa Cemetery 'Cemeteries and crematoria are places where history, identity, and memory are held. They're spaces where people find connection and care during life's hardest moments. These awards honour those who work hard to honour the history, the memories, and the people,' said Chrisp.
Scoop
21-05-2025
- General
- Scoop
Honouring The People Behind New Zealand's Cemeteries And Crematoria
New Zealand's cemeteries and crematoria are more than just spaces — they are places of remembrance, connection, and care. Tonight, the people and projects behind these vital community places were recognised at the 2025 Cemeteries Awards, held in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland as part of the Recreation Aotearoa Parks and Cemeteries Awards. The biennial Cemeteries Awards celebrate outstanding leadership, innovation, and service in the cemeteries and crematoria sector. Daniel Chrisp, NZCCC Ngā Rau Hotu Chair, said the awards shine a light on a sector that is vital but often works quietly in the background. 'Cemeteries and crematoria are important spaces in our communities. These awards recognise the people who care for them, and the people and communities they support — often during life's most difficult moments,' he said. Green Award 2025 The Green Award recognises effective climate action in cemeteries and crematoria operations. Invercargill City Council won the award for the sustainable practices it has introduced into its operations. These include replacing plastic urns with biodegradable wooden alternatives and restoring native habitat, which has welcomed back tūī, kererū, pīwakawaka, and ruru. The team also shifted to electric mowers and battery-powered tools, reducing emissions and enhancing tranquillity for visitors. Community Contribution Award 2025 Allan Dodson of Porirua War Stories received this award for his tireless advocacy in honouring New Zealand's service personnel. Allan has helped install over 15 veteran headstones for previously unmarked graves, restoring dignity to service members and their whānau. He also ensured the name of Leon Smith, killed in action in Afghanistan, was added to the Porirua Peace Memorial through meticulous historical research and community coordination. Individual Excellence Award 2025 Kelvin Tamihere of Gisborne District Council was recognised for outstanding leadership at Taruheru Cemetery. Known for his compassion and professionalism, Kelvin has supported whānau through challenging times, including during Cyclone Gabrielle. He continues to embody manaakitanga and uphold tikanga, leading health and safety initiatives and working closely with groups such as the Friends of Makaraka. Long Service Awards The following individuals were celebrated for their long-standing dedication and service to the cemeteries and crematoria sector in Aotearoa: Mary Climo, Porirua City Council Ricky Mulqueen, Invercargill City Council James Duffy, Citycare Properties Hayden Parr, Whāngarei City Council Elizabeth Reddington, Wellington City Council Ingro Shreck, Citycare Properties Sheree Stout, Auckland Council Life Membership Awards Life Membership was awarded to foundational figures of NZCCC Ngā Rau Hotu, recognising long-term commitment, leadership, and vision in shaping the cemeteries and crematoria sector: Mary Climo, Porirua City Council Jeff Paris, Wellington City Council Michelle Rivers, Hamilton City Council Clifton Thomson, Purewa Cemetery 'Cemeteries and crematoria are places where history, identity, and memory are held. They're spaces where people find connection and care during life's hardest moments. These awards honour those who work hard to honour the history, the memories, and the people,' said Chrisp.
RNZ News
07-05-2025
- Health
- RNZ News
Porirua City Council looks to find family of 1800 people in unmarked graves
A photograph shows Porirua Hospital in the early 1900s. Photo: Supplied / Porirua City Council Porirua City Council is hoping to find family members of more than 1800 former hospital patients who died in care and are buried in unmarked graves. As part of the Inquiry into Abuse in Care, the government set up a fund for headstones for patients around the country who lay in unmarked graves. Porirua was planning a memorial to those patients buried without a headstone. The Porirua Lunatic Asylum, which later became Porirua Hospital, opened in 1887. It was the biggest asylum in the country - at its height in the 1960s it had more than 2000 patients and staff and covered just over 400 hectares of land. It closed in the 1990s. The city cemeteries manager Daniel Chrisp said Porirua Cemetery opened in 1895 - right next door to the asylum - and had a contract to bury patients. Most of the unmarked graves were here - with about another 100 at Whenua Tapu Cemetery. Together, Porirua had the highest tally of unmarked graves in the country. For these patients, the hospital was their last known address. Chrisp said the proximity of the cemetery and the stigma of mental illness meant many patients were laid to rest without a headstone. "The sad history of people in care was that you were shunned if you were admitted to a mental hospital and families often forgot about you as well," he said. "So when the patient passed away, there was very likely no family ... and no money for a headstone." The council had released a list of people who were known to be patients and who did not have a headstone. Chrisp said the council was keen to hear from families who had identified relatives on their family tree who may be among the buried, so they can have a say in the memorial. "We want the project to be informed as much as possible by family members so that whatever we do to restore patients' mana and dignity is what the families want." The shape of the memorial was yet to be decided but Chrisp expected it would include the name of every patient. "It's a significant and special project and it's an honour to be part of restoring that mana and dignity for the deceased," he said. "They may not be here any more but the least we can do is try to remember them." Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
