Gisborne District Council is under criticism for the time it is taking to exhume the remaining 18 bodies from an eroding cemetery south of Ruatoria.
Five bodies fell into the adjacent Mata River last July.
Jeremy Williams, who until recently owned the land surrounding the Matahiia Cemetery, says he told the council of his concerns three years ago.
The council says Mr Williams' call three years ago was probably missed because of a communication breakdown, and the council first heard about the erosion in July.
It says it is ready now.
