2023 NZCCC Award Winners

The New Zealand Cemeteries and Crematoria Collective (NZCCC) awarded industry champions at the New Zealand Cemeteries and Crematoria Awards dinner on 10 May 2023. The Awards included the Community Contribution Award, the Green Award, the Individual Excellence Award, and acknowledgment to those who have provided decades of service with the Long Service Award.

Long Service Awards were presented to eleven individuals from across the motu whose careers have spanned anywhere from 10 to 40 plus years.

The Community Contribution Award was given to the Pukerau Cemetery Support Group in recognition of their significant impact on the community through their work in the industry. The group's efforts are a remarkable example of a small town coming together to care for their loved ones.

Under the leadership of Margaret Pullar, a well-loved community member who formed and led the Pukerau Cemetery Support Group, the previously unkempt and unmarked cemetery has been transformed into a beautiful community space. Together with the Gore District Council, the Support Group, and its volunteers they have turned the area into a splendid place surrounded by green rolling hills and native plantings, making it a serene and stunning location to visit.

Creating all-weather access has been established to enable the elderly and disabled to visit the graves of their loved ones, alongside a kiosk and informative panels detailing the history of Pukerau, their ancestors, and the people laid to rest. Tracy Hicks, Former Longstanding GDC Mayor had this to say, “Over the past few years I have had the absolute pleasure of working alongside, and witnessing the friends of Pukerau cemetery develop what was, at best an adequate community facility into a place of pride in the hearts and minds of all who call Pukerau home.”

Purewa Cemetery and Crematorium in Auckland took away the Green Award, which recognises those that have innovated their operations to reduce their carbon footprint. Purewa Cemetery and Crematorium’s rainwater harvesting project, was designed to address concerns about waste and water usage in the cemetery and move towards a more sustainable model. The project involved installing three 30,000 litre tanks and a holding tank to catch rainwater from the chapels and crematorium roofs.

The Individual Excellence Award was presented to Carl Baker. This was due to his exceptional commitment and dedication to the cemetery industry. As the Assistant Sexton at Nelmac Kūmānu Cemetery, he quickly became a valuable member of the team, building on his previous experience as a funeral director. With a fresh approach, he has become a Team Leader and Head Sexton, gaining the trust of clients and delivering personalized services across all cemeteries in Nelson and the region.

The awards were held as part of the national New Zealand Cemeteries & Crematoria Conference in Te Whanganui-a-Tara.

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