Historic Napier Cemetery

Delve into the past in Napier’s historic cemetery. Read the headstones of the town’s early prominent citizens. William Colenso, the missionary, printer and botanist, who landed at Waitangi, south of Napier, with his wife Elizabeth and young daughter Frances in 1844, is buried on the right near the gates. Close by are the graves of William Williams, first Bishop of Waiapu, and his son and grandson – also Bishops of Waiapu. Further along on the right, a handsome celtic cross marks the grave of Sir Donald McLean, KCMG – the first government land purchasing agent. In the 1850s, he purchased much of the land around Napier for European settlement. Discover the rare totara memorials of soldiers in the regiments stationed on nearby Barrack Hill in the 1865-70 period. The shelter beside the main path was originally the lychgate at the entrance to St Andrew’s Church in Ahuriri. It was moved to the cemetery when the church was demolished in 1972. Please note: the nearest public toilets are in the Botanical Gardens, closest to the Spencer Street entrance. There is no access to vehicles” Source Old Napier Cemetery Information.