12 Sep 2013

Southern Story: Natural Burial

From Afternoons, 3:21 pm on 12 September 2013
Golden Bay is considering separating from the Tasman District Council.

Golden Bay is considering separating from the Tasman District Council. Photo: RNZ / Tracy Neal

The first natural burial park in New Zealand was certified at Makara, Wellington, in 2007, after eight years of lobbying by Mark Blackham and Sola Freeman.

In the South Island, there are two - both in Tasman District - but the one in Golden Bay needed a push to open in time for the funeral of Victoria Davis' husband Buzz, on September 11 last year.

At Rototai burial park, Sage Forest meets with Victoria at Buzz's grave and asks her how it came about.