Bolton Street Memorial Park - Visitor Information

Graves at Bolton Street Memorial Park

Bolton Street Memorial Park is home to Wellington's oldest cemetery, which dates back to 1840. The park offers a tranquil, historically interesting escape, minutes from the city centre.

There is a heritage rose collection inspired by original graveside plantings. Blooms peak in November.

Many of early Wellington's notable figures are buried here, including:

• New Zealand Company founder Edward Gibbon Wakefield
• New Zealand's longest serving prime minister Richard John Seddon
• shoe merchant Robert Hannah
• Evening Post founder Henry Blundell
• senior chief at Pipitea Pa, Te Ropiha Moturoa (of Ngāti Mutunga).

Entry is free.

Location

Entry to the park is from:

• Bolton Street
• a sign-posted pathway off Bowen Street
• the Botanic Garden - just beyond Anderson Park

The park sits either side of the motorway. A pedestrian over-bridge links The Terrace side of the park to the Botanic Garden.

Hours

Bolton Street Memorial Park is open daily from dawn to dusk.

Bolton Street Chapel

Graves at Bolton Street Memorial Park

A replica mortuary chapel on Bolton Street tells the park's story and displays burial information. It is open daily from 10.00am - 4.00pm. There are hardcopy lists of everyone buried in the park at the chapel. Records are also available at the Karori Cemetery.

You can search the Bolton Street records dated from 1840 using our online database:

Cemeteries Database - Search

Walkways

The park is as popular with lunchtime joggers and walkers as it is with visitors to the city.

A sign-posted heritage trail through the grounds gives a glimpse into Wellington's colonial history. The trail is split into two, either side of the motorway. Each trail takes between 30 to 45 minutes to walk.

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Heritage Trail at Bolton Street Memorial Park (897Kb PDF)

Access

Some parts of the trails are unsealed and include steps. There is no wheelchair access.

Guided Tours

Graves at Bolton Street Memorial Park

The Friends of Bolton Street Memorial Park run guided tours tours from time to time. Call the Treehouse Visitor Centre for details.

Special guided tours are available by prior arrangement through the Treehouse Visitor Centre.

Maintenance

If you want to do grave maintenance, you must first obtain a permit from Karori Cemetery. Contact the Treehouse Visitor Centre first and we can help you with this.

More Information

Karori Cemetery Office
Phone:  (04) 476 6109

Related Links

• Arts and Historic Places Trust website
• Botanic Garden - Events Calendar
• Friends of Bolton Street Memorial Park website
• Historic Cemeteries Conservation Trust of NZ website
• Karori Cemetery
• Walkways

Department Details:
Parks and Gardens