See below for details on Tararu, Shortland, Kauaeranga Pa, Hikima (Parawai Racecourse) and Totara Memorial Park Cemeteries.
**A photo video of the cemeteries is available on YouTube & a second photo-video for Shortland Cemetery **
TARARU CEMETERY:
A 'walks' brochure is available at The Treasury for a small charge - that guides you through he cemetery and points out a little background on some of the Thamesites interred at the cemetery.
An article giving background on the cemetery is available at The Treasury Journal.
LOCATION: 350m north of the Tararu Creek Bridge on the Thames Coast Road (SH 25)
PARKING: Limited – via the Cemetery access driveway
ACCESS: From the road, up a driveway, then up approx. 100 steps. Open all hours (see photos below)
MANAGEMENT: The Cemetery is classed as ‘Disused,’ and is managed by the Thames-Coromandel District Council
KEY EVENTS:
·
1873 First burials at Tararu· 1875 Tanutanu Block purchased from the 6 Maori landowners
· Layout designed by Mr R J McFarland in 1875 with room for 650 graves over 8 acres of land
· Number of interments – nearly 1000
ONLINE CEMETERY SEARCH Currently available, if required contact TCDC direct
FINDAGRAVE database SEARCH: Add information on your families (simple registration may be required first).
FINDAGRAVE database SEARCH: Add information on your families (simple registration may be required first).
**Look-ups and Information available on Tararu Cemetery - Email Graeme**
People often ask what is the access like, the photos below show the zig-zag access, plenty of rest areas, as you proceed to the top. (Thanks to Graeme)
**UPDATE 28 May 2020: Interment.net has a database of names for Tararu.
Above: different views of the Tararu Cemetery and the access steps - looking from Tararu, up the steps and down!
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------SHORTLAND CEMETERY:
A 'walks' brochure is available at The Treasury for a small charge - that guides you through the lower portion of the cemetery and points out a little background on some of the Thamesites interred at the cemetery.
An article giving background on the cemetery is available at The Treasury Journal.
LOCATION: Danby Street, Thames.
PARKING: Limited – A quiet, narrow street with parking on side verge.
ACCESS: The cemetery is arranged in three blocks. The lower section near the road has the later burials. Proceed up the steps left of the Water Tower to a middle section that leads to a large area at the back (eastern) side of the cemetery. Paths may be challenging in wet weather and very water-logged.
MANAGEMENT: The Cemetery is classed as ‘Disused,’ and is managed by the Thames-Coromandel District Council
ONLINE CEMETERY SEARCH Currently available, if required contact TCDC direct
FINDAGRAVE database SEARCH: Add information on your families (simple registration may be required first).
**UPDATE 28 May 2020: Interment.net has a database of names for Shortland.
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| Shortland Cemetery, looking over lower block, towards central Thames. |
- Six acres of land donated by James Mackay and Chief Taipari for the Cemetery.
- First 80 approx. internments were not recorded.
- Records kept from c1870
- Access difficult during years cemetery in-use, causing problems for the horse & carts.
- Burials generally no longer occur at the cemetery, where families have plot ownership, some ashes burials have been approved in the 2000s.
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| Above:Layout of upper/hill plots at the Thames Shortland cemetery. For location reference note Water tower far left. Below: 1900s view from Bird-in-Hand hill showing extent of the Shortland Cemetery from east to west. Houses in fore-ground are at intersection of Sandes Street and St Patricks Row.  |
HIKIMA RACECOURSE CEMETERY:
A Maori Urupa, accessible from the Thames Racecourse. Details of burial are available at The Treasury, Thames.
LOCATION: South end of Parawai Road, at entrance of Kauaeranga Valley
PARKING: Not applicable
ACCESS: The cemetery is accessible with permission from the trustees.
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KAUAERANGA PA CEMETERY:
Used for early European settlers burials, some headstones remain today in a dilapidated condition.
LOCATION: At the rear of 108 Fenton Street, Thames or from Jellicoe Crescent. The site is to the north of the Gym complex, the old site of the United Football Clubrooms.
PARKING: Not applicable.
ACCESS: The cemetery is on private property
................................................................................................................................................................TOTARA MEMORIAL PARK CEMETERY:
The cemetery is south of Thames township, large RSA section on the northern side of the cemetery. The site is part of the Totara Pa, site of attacks by other tribal groups including Hongi Hika. Principal battles were the 'Battle of the Dripping Garments' 1819 and the 'Fall of Totara Pa' 1821.
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LOCATION: 110 Te Arapipi Road, Totara.
PARKING: Available at cemetery.
ACCESS: The cemetery is closed at night for traffic access.
**HISTORY: Background on opening of Totara Cemetery in 1932.**
**HISTORY: Background on opening of Totara Cemetery in 1932.**
**UPDATE 28 May 2020: Interment.net has a database of names for Totara.
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Source: Thames Star 22/09/1948
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- Cemetery records and headstone photographs available at The Treasury. Search the online database for possible entries and photos of headstones.
- Cemetery Records at The Thames Library
- Blog entries for Tararu Cemetery: Cemetery gates, Death Certificates
- Blog entries for Shortland Cemetery: Dr Payne, 1943 fire
- Find A Grave Cemetery Photos & Information for: Old Thames Cemetery, Shortland Cemetery, Tararu Cemetery & Totara Memorial Cemetery.
- The Treasury Journal Articles: Tararu Cemetery, Shortland and Tararu Cemeteries, Goldminers Cemetery
- TCDC ONLINE CEMETERY SEARCH Currently available (if undergoing maintenance, check back), or if urgent or you need assistance contact TCDC direct
- Interment.net cemetery database: Shortland Cemetery. Surnames A-C; D-H; I-M; N-S; T-Z; Unidentified. Tararu Cemetery. Totara Memorial Park Cemetery. Surnames A-C; D-G; H-L; M-O; P-S; T-Z: Unidentified.
