Welcome to the archive images of Tamaki Makaurau
Week 27
30/04/06
Symonds Street Cemetery
A forgotten place
This was Auckland's major public cemetery from 1840 to 1886 and covers an area of about six hectares. Closed for over 100 years, this once peaceful resting place is now overwhelmed by the roar of the motorway and busy Symonds Street. It is one of Auckland's most historic public reserves which extends from the motorway up the slope of Grafton Gully, under Grafton Bridge and intersected by Symonds Street, along a block to the corner of Karangahape Road. Unfortunately this area has a history of vandalism and assaults so exploring the dark and secluded corners of the cemetery along is not advisable. The cemetery was developed as five separate cemeteries - Jewish section, Catholic section, Presbyterian section, Anglican section and a combined Wesleyan and general section. Each was run by its own trust board during most of the years it was used for burials.
It is in the Anglican section that you will also find the grave of Captain William Hobson who was New Zealand's first Governor
In the Anglican Section almost everything is covered in green moss
Green lichen adding a green hue to tombs
Crumbling headstones and concrete everywhere you look which arguably
add to the charm of this walk
A mysterious, single red rose lies against this 1800's tomb ......
A footpath, thickly carpeted with green moss
Headstones hidden by tree ferns
In the depths of the gully, where the ground is uneven and
slippery, I found this beautiful Fly Agaric fungus
More fungi growing in thick moss
A headstone in the Roman Catholic section covered with lichen
adding colour and texture
Orange lichen complimenting the autumn colours in the vine on the
wall and leaves in the tree
A little girl praying on a headstone
Return to archive page
You are welcome to copy any of these pictures
but please credit the photographer
Suzette Bothma
or add a link to this page
Please do not link this site to any other
that contains any material that is in any way offensive
Thank you
Text and images © 2005-2006 Koru Creations. All rights reserved.
Do not reproduce without permission.
