Roses woven through our city's past
Welcome to Bolton Street Cemetery, Wellington's oldest European cemetery dating back to 1841. Many of early Wellington's notable figures are buried here. The cemetery offers a tranquil and historically interesting escape from the city, just minutes from the centre. See the heritage rose collection woven through the tombstones, inspired by original graveside plantings. Blooms peak from November to December.
History
Plot Locator Map
You can use this plot locator map to find out more information or trace history.
Wellington's colonial cemeteries
When Wellington's first cemetery opened in 1840 it lay on the outskirts of the new town and served the colony's non-Catholic residents. A single, shared town cemetery - rather than graveyards for individual churches - was a new concept in England at this time. The cemetery at Bolton Street was considered a liberal concept for the fledgling colony.
However, Anglicans, Jews and Roman Catholics insisted on separate burial areas. The cemetery was divided into three areas - Anglican, Jewish and Public.
The Roman Catholic Cemetery was - and still is - in Mount Street, Kelburn.