“What if these gates could talk?” They would tell tales of Oratia Cemetery. It is a place of rest in West Auckland. This cemetery sits about 25 minutes from Auckland CBD. It is also known as Oratia Anglican Cemetery. Some call it Parrs Cemetery.
Oratia Cemetery is in a semi-rural area. Native bush and farmland surround it. The cemetery offers roadside parking. Access is easy through the gates. A church member from Oratia Combined Church runs it privately. Burials here date back to 1867.
Originally, space was set aside for an Anglican church. However, the parish church was built in Glen Eden. The historical Waikumete Cemetery Jewish Prayer House now stands at the back of Oratia Cemetery. It was built in 1886 using native kauri timber. David Harre saved and restored it around the mid 2000s. It is now for use by all cemetery visitors.
The gateway entrance to Oratia Cemetery was built in 1935. It holds a category II listing. This is due to its historical and visual significance.
Note that Oratia Cemetery can be confused. It is sometimes mistaken for Oratia Combined Church Cemetery. That cemetery lies about 1.3 km away. It is located on the corner of West Coast Road and Park Road.
Find a Grave lists the Oratia Cemetery ID as 2647936.