Since 1861 some 16,000 people have been buried at Wakapuaka Cemetery. The first recorded burial was that of Grace Annie Everett, child of 16 months, buried 8 December 1861.
Well known Nelson residents buried at Wakapuaka Cemetery include:
- surveyor and artist John Gully
- educator Matthew Campbell
- goldminers Elizabeth and George Moonlight
- the Maungatapu Murder victims – five men who were robbed and killed on the inland Maungatapu Road in 1866. (The attackers were hanged and buried in unmarked graves just outside the consecrated ground of Hallowell Cemetery, Shelbourne Street)
- explorer and surveyor Thomas Brunner
Explore a historic cemetery where the early settlers of Nelson story is told on tombstones. There are spectacular views from Wakapuaka cemetery, a beautiful walk through hundred year old redwoods in Marsden, Stoke and an intriguing park with historic graves peeping out from under bushes in Fairfield Park.