The Friends of Bolton Street Memorial Park was formed in 1977 out of concern for the well-being of the burial sites during and following motorway construction and the need to recognise the overall values of the cemetery. Although the Association has been responsible for raising the profile of the old burial ground and preserving many elements of its history, on-going work is needed to maintain this important conservation effort. The work is spear-headed by a small committee which is elected each year at the annual general meeting.

Aims of the Friends:

To preserve, protect and develop the wooded and historic atmosphere of the three cemeteries.
To support Wellington City Council in maintaining the graves and developing the park.
To encourage families and groups to repair damaged graves, to sponsor grave repairs and to support the Society.
These aims have evolved since original formation (in 1977) in reaction to motorway construction that devastated large parts of cemetery areas.

To join, please download and complete the following form.
Membership_Form.pdf

Current Work:

1980s – finalisation of negotiations to secure land for the chapel and surrounds.
1990 – completion of the replica chapel visitors centre.
1999 – installation of a new memorial in the chapel comprising 3,700 names of those whose remains were disturbed during motorway construction in the 1960s.
1999 – completion of a ten year research project to compile a new definitive set of 8,500 burial records for the three historic cemeteries.
2001 – unveiling a plaque to commemorate fifty-six reinterments dated 1906 following research on these.
2005 – opening of the Morva Williams extension to the Park
2006 – Producing an electronic burial list.

Some Milestones:

1980s – finalisation of negotiations to secure land for the chapel and surrounds.
1990 – completion of the replica chapel visitors centre.
1999 – installation of a new memorial in the chapel comprising 3,700 names of those whose remains were disturbed during motorway construction in the 1960s.
1999 – completion of a ten year research project to compile a new definitive set of 8,500 burial records for the three historic cemeteries.
2001 – unveiling a plaque to commemorate fifty-six reinterments dated 1906 following research on these.
2005 – opening of the Morva Williams extension to the Park
2006 – Launch of the Friends of Bolton Street Memorial Park website.

Financial Status & Support

The Friends of Bolton Street Memorial Park is a community-based voluntary organization with charitable status. Its funding comes from subscriptions and from donations raised through guided tours of the Park. Additional and very welcome donations are received regularly from members and from those with ancestors in the Park. Such donations are tax-deductible. All funds are put towards the on-going work of protecting, conserving and maintaining the Memorial Park.

Remember the Friends of Bolton Street Memorial Park in your will. Bequests will assist the Friends to preserve the cemetery for future generations.

Contacts for FOBSMP

To contact the Friends Association, go to Contact Us or write to PO Box 2336 , Wellington 6140. If you need to contact a member of the Committee urgently by telephone, please ring the Treehouse on (04) 499 1400.

Why Join the Friend of the Bolton Street Memorial Park?

Your subscription will go directly towards the work of the Friends and the preservation of this important part of Wellington 's heritage.
You will be informed of the on-going work through the Friends' newsletters.
You can assist in the voluntary work, including research, conservation, working bees and guiding.
You will learn more about this unique and precious area in the heart of Wellington.

To join, download and complete the following form.
Membership_Form.pdf