{{Short description|Cemetery in Auckland, New Zealand}} {{Use New Zealand English|date=December 2024}} {{Infobox cemetery | name = O'Neill's Point Cemetery | image = frameless|upright=1.1|center|Outside O'Neill's Point Cemetery at the lychgate | imagesize = | caption = Outside the cemetery, at the lychgate | established = 1891 | country = New Zealand | location = Auckland | coordinates = {{coord|-36.81030|174.78128|region:NZ_type:landmark|display=inline,title}} | type = Historic | style = | owner = | size = | graves = | interments = | cremations = | leases = | website = | findagraveid = 2162544 | political = | embedded = {{designation list|embed=yes|designation1=NZ Category I|designation1_offname=O'Neill's Point Cemetery |designation1_number=9394 |designation1_date=7 July 2022}} }}
'''O'Neill's Point Cemetery''' is a historic cemetery and reserve located in Bayswater, New Zealand. It is a 3.4 hectare tract of land that extends from Bayswater Ave, down to the shore of Shoal Bay. Across from it is Bayswater Park. There is a walking and cycling track that runs beside the cemetery that connects Bayswater to Takapuna and Devonport to the north and south respectively.
Built in 1891, O'Neill's acted as a second-generation cemetery to the '''Mount Victoria Cemetery''' in Devonport after this site raised health and safety concern for its proximity to the local residences.<ref name=":4">{{Cite news |date=26 January 1877 |title=Trinity Church, Devonport, North Shore |url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/NZH18770126.2.21 |work=New Zealand Herald |page=2 |volume=XIV |issue=4741}}</ref><ref name=":5">{{Cite news |date=23 August 1890 |title=Cemetery Scandals |url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/TO18900823.2.3 |work=Observer |page=3 |volume=X |issue=608}}</ref> The cemetery is listed on the Heritage New Zealand List as a category 1 heritage site.<ref>{{Cite web |title=O'Neill's Point Cemetery |url=https://www.heritage.org.nz/list-details/9394/O%E2%80%99Neill%E2%80%99s-Point-Cemetery |access-date=3 December 2024 |website=Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga}}</ref> It is noted as particularly significant as it contains the final resting place of many prominent early New Zealanders as well as WWI veterans of Pacific and Māori background who were trained at Narrowneck Camp.
== History == The land the O'Neill's Point Cemetery was built on was given to the Devonport Borough council by James Frederick O'Neill to build a cemetery on in 1898.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Borough Council Meetings: Devonport |url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/AS18891210.2.16 |access-date= |publisher=Auckland Star |page=5 |volume=XX |issue=293}}</ref> The need for a new cemetery came when the existing cemetery in Devonport, Mount Victoria Cemetery, raised health concerns from residents as it was located in the centre of the town.<ref name=":4" /><ref name=":5" /> At this time, Bayswater was mostly vacant land and so was an appropriate place just outside of the Devonport area to set up a cemetery.
The cemetery's layout was designed by John Francis Boylan, a prominent engineer from the Auckland area.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Boylan, John Francis 1850-1922 |url=https://natlib.govt.nz/records/22546270 |website=National Library of New Zealand}}</ref> The plots formed a rectilinear grid that allowed for people to walk easily amongst the graves, which was lined with native trees.<ref name=":0">{{Cite news |date=12 September 1885 |title=The Devonport Cemetery |url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/NZH18850912.2.20 |work=New Zealand Herald |page=5 |volume=XXII |issue=7431}}</ref> These plots were divided into Anglican, Catholic and Unsectarian sections.<ref name=":0" /> The cemetery was open for interments in August 1891.<ref>{{Cite news |date=25 July 1891 |title=Page 1 Advertisements Column 4 |url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/NZH18910725.2.3.4 |work=New Zealand Herald |page=1 |volume=XXVIII |issue=8628}}</ref>
In 1895, more grave plots were added to the existing plots, and in 1897, a mortuary chapel was constructed.<ref>{{Cite news |date=18 April 1895 |title=Borough Councils |url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/NZH18950418.2.59 |work=New Zealand Herald |page=6 |volume=XXXII |issue=9797}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite news |date=14 July 1897 |title=Devonport Borough Council |url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/AS18970714.2.7 |work=Auckland Star |page=2 |volume=XXVIII |issue=162}}</ref> It was designed by Edward Bartley in the Gothic Revival style. Further plots were added in 1903.<ref name=":1" /><ref>{{Cite news |date=20 May 1903 |title=Devonport Borough Council |url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/NZH19030520.2.14 |work=New Zealand Herald |page=3 |volume=XL |issue=12275}}</ref>
In 1910, a wharf was built at the end of the Bayswater peninsula with regular steam ferry services to Auckland city.<ref name=":2">{{Cite news |date=18 September 1909 |title=By Ferry and Tram to Takapuna |url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/AS19090918.2.78 |work=Auckland Star |page=11 |volume=XL |issue=223}}</ref> A tram service connected this ferry terminal to Takapuna.<ref name=":2" /> Because of increased access to the peninsula and an increase population, the Bayswater peninsula began to grow in popularity as a residential area.<ref>{{Cite news |date=30 December 1912 |title=Auckland's Death Roll |url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/AS19121230.2.49 |work=Auckland Star |page=6 |volume=XLIII |issue=311}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=17 September 1909 |title=Page 8 Advertisements Column 4 |url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/NZH19090917.2.99.4 |work=New Zealand Herald |page=8 |volume=XLVI |issue=14168}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=2 January 1913 |title=Page 10 Advertisements Column 2 |url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/NZH19130102.2.90.2 |work=New Zealand Herald |page=10 |volume=L |issue=15190}}</ref> By the 1930s, the cemetery became increasingly full, and therefore the amount of people interred at the cemetery decreased significantly.<ref>{{Cite news |date=9 October 1931 |title=New Cemetery Desired |url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/NZH19311009.2.96 |work=New Zealand Herald |page=10 |volume=LXVIII |issue=20999}}</ref><ref name=":3">{{Cite news |date=18 August 1938 |title=Like Ned Kelly |url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/AS19380818.2.125 |work=Auckland Star |page=11 |volume=LXIX |issue=194}}</ref> Petitions to increase the size of the cemetery as well as add a crematorium were opposed by the Takapuna Council, who now had jurisdiction over the land surrounding the cemetery.<ref>{{Cite news |date=18 February 1932 |title=Takapuna Council |url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/AS19320218.2.33 |work=Auckland Star |page=5 |volume=LXIII |issue=41}}</ref><ref name=":3" /> This decrease in internments led to the demolition of the mortuary chapel some time before 1959. left|thumb|341x341px|The now demolished mortuary chapel at O'Neill's Point Cemetery The ownership of the cemetery transferred to the City of Takapuna in 1972, and in 1974, the North Shore Memorial Park opened for burials for people from the broader North Shore area, which had grown substantially after the construction of the Auckland Harbour Bridge.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Auckland Harbour Bridge |url=https://www.engineeringnz.org/programmes/heritage/heritage-records/auckland-harbour-bridge/#:~:text=Having%20successfully%20navigated%20various%20construction,Cobham%2C%20on%20May%2030%201959. |access-date=3 December 2024 |website=Engineering New Zealand}}</ref> At this point, the cemetery became open only to burials within existing family plots.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Oneill's Cemetery Park |url=https://www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/cemeteries/pages/cemetery-location-details.aspx?LocationId=851 |access-date=3 December 2024 |website=Auckland Council Te Kaunihera o Tāmaki Makaurau}}</ref>
== Significance == As one of the first cemeteries in the Auckland area, O'Neill's Point Cemetery is the resting place of many notable figures in early Auckland history.
This cemetery has distinct significance in Pacific Island history in 20th century Auckland as the main burial site in New Zealand for Pasifika soldiers who served in World War I. One tenth of the Pacific Island NZEF soldiers buried are there.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Manatū Taonga — Ministry for Culture and Heritage |date=5 August 2021 |title=Roll of Honour |url=https://nzhistory.govt.nz/war/pacific-islanders-nzef/roll-of-honour |access-date=4 December 2024 |website=New Zealand History}}</ref> It is especially significant as many other sites connected to early Pacific Island history in New Zealand no longer exist. These Pacific Island soldiers are buried here due to the cemetery's proximity to the Narrowneck Military Camp, where many Māori and Pacific Island soldiers were trained before leaving to war.<ref>{{Cite web |first= |date=18 October 2021 |title=Pacific Islanders in the NZEF |url=https://nzhistory.govt.nz/war/pacific-islanders-nzef/niueans |access-date=4 December 2024 |website=New Zealand History |publisher=Manatū Taonga — Ministry for Culture and Heritage}}</ref> Tragically, many of these men never left the Narrowneck Camp because many died of the Flu Pandemic in 1918.
== Notable burials ==
=== Christian figures === * '''Thomas''' (1803–1892) and '''Mary''' (1812–1891) '''Poynton''': Key figures in the growth of Catholicism in New Zealand. Celebrated the first Catholic mass in New Zealand in their home in Hokianga.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Special Locations |url=https://hokiangapompallier.org.nz/special-locations/ |access-date=4 December 2024 |website=Pompallier Hokianga Trust}}</ref> * '''John Palmer''' (1837–1902): Archdeacon of South Melanesia and missionary of the Melanesian Mission for 40 years.<ref>{{Cite web |date=1 December 2023 |title=[Melanesia, Archdeacon John Palmer, under a tree] |url=https://www.aucklandmuseum.com/collection/object/am_library-photography-72034 |access-date=4 December 2024 |website=Auckland Museum}}</ref>
=== Military personnel ===
* '''Private Vilipate''' (1893–1915): First Pacific Islander military death. Vilipate was from Niue and died of pneumonia after he arrived in New Zealand.<ref>{{Cite news |date=27 December 1915 |title=SOLDIERS' DEATHS |url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/AS19151227.2.15 |work=Auckland Star |page=2 |volume=XLVI |issue=307}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Vilipate |url=https://www.aucklandmuseum.com/war-memorial/online-cenotaph/record/C33851?srt=relevance&n=Vilipate&from=%2Fwar-memorial%2Fonline-cenotaph%2Fsearch&ordinal=0 |access-date=4 December 2024 |website=Auckland Museum}}</ref> * '''Sergeant Beni Banaba''' (1890–1917): Came from an important chiefly family in Manihiri in the Cook Islands. Served in Egypt and Palestine between 1916 - 1917. Died of tuberculosis.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Beni Banaba |url=https://www.aucklandmuseum.com/war-memorial/online-cenotaph/record/C675?pob=Pacific+Islands&from=%2Fwar-memorial%2Fonline-cenotaph%2Fcustom-search&ordinal=20&lang=en-nz |access-date=4 December 2024 |website=Auckland Museum}}</ref>
=== 1918 Flu epidemic casualties === * '''Private Mannao (Manuao) Fati''' (1880–1918): From Tuvalu.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Manuao Fati |url=https://www.aucklandmuseum.com/war-memorial/online-cenotaph/record/C33052?n=mannao&from=%2Fwar-memorial%2Fonline-cenotaph%2Fsearch&ordinal=0 |access-date=4 December 2024 |website=Auckland Museum}}</ref> * '''Private Tonuia''' (1891–1918): From Tuvalu.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Tonuia |url=https://www.aucklandmuseum.com/war-memorial/online-cenotaph/record/C17666?n=tonuia&from=%2Fwar-memorial%2Fonline-cenotaph%2Fsearch&ordinal=0 |access-date=4 December 2024 |website=Auckland Museum}}</ref> * '''Private Laliqapata Illitomasi''' (1891–1918): From Fiji.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Laliqapata Ilitomasi |url=https://www.aucklandmuseum.com/war-memorial/online-cenotaph/record/C33120?n=Ilitomasi&from=%2Fwar-memorial%2Fonline-cenotaph%2Fsearch&ordinal=0 |access-date=4 December 2024 |website=Auckland Museum}}</ref> * '''Te Hapa Ihaia''' (c. 1893–1919): Waikato Māori. Participated in passive resistance movement against engaging in warfare led by Te Puea.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Te Apa Ihaia |url=https://www.aucklandmuseum.com/war-memorial/online-cenotaph/record/C17631?n=te+apa+ihaia&from=%2Fwar-memorial%2Fonline-cenotaph%2Fsearch&ordinal=0 |access-date=9 December 2024 |website=Auckland Museum}}</ref><ref name=":6">{{Cite book |last=King |first=Michael |title=Te Puea: A Biography |publisher=Hodder and Stoughton Ltd |year=1977 |isbn=0340224827 |location=Auckland |pages=91–97}}</ref> * '''Tame Tahi''' (died 1918): Waikato Māori. Participated in passive resistance movement against engaging in warfare led by Te Puea<ref>{{Cite web |title=Tame Tahi |url=https://www.aucklandmuseum.com/war-memorial/online-cenotaph/record/C17662?n=tame+tahi&from=%2Fwar-memorial%2Fonline-cenotaph%2Fsearch&ordinal=0 |access-date=9 December 2024 |website=Auckland Museum}}</ref><ref name=":6" /><big>.</big> * '''Kiri Toto''' (c.1895-1918): Waikato Māori. Participated in passive resistance movement against engaging in warfare led by Te Puea<ref>{{Cite web |title=Kiri Toto |url=https://www.aucklandmuseum.com/war-memorial/online-cenotaph/record/C17667?n=kiri+toto&from=%2Fwar-memorial%2Fonline-cenotaph%2Fsearch&ordinal=0 |access-date=9 December 2024 |website=Auckland Museum}}</ref><ref name=":6" /> * '''Rupena Hihi''' (c.1891-1918): Waikato Māori. Participated in passive resistance movement against engaging in warfare led by Te Puea.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Rupena Hihi |url=https://www.aucklandmuseum.com/war-memorial/online-cenotaph/record/C17630?n=rupena+hihi&from=%2Fwar-memorial%2Fonline-cenotaph%2Fsearch&ordinal=0 |access-date=9 December 2024 |website=Auckland Museum}}</ref><ref name=":6" /> * '''Isabelle Maude (Maud) Manning''' (1870–1918): Volunteered to look after the Māori and Pasifika troops who caught the flu. Died of the flu herself.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Passed Away |url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/AS19181119.2.19 |access-date=9 December 2024 |work=Auckland Star |page=3 |volume=XLIX |issue=276}}</ref>
== Gravestones == <gallery> File:Beni Banaba's gravestone, O'Neill's Point Cemetery.jpg File:Vilipate's gravestone, O'Neill's Point Cemetery.jpg File:L. Ilitomasi's gravestone, O'Neill's Point Cemetery.jpg File:A.Ihaia's gravestone, O'Neill's Point Cemetery.jpg File:Tonuia's gravestone, O'Neill's Point Cemetery.jpg File:Henry Peacock's gravestone, O'Neill's Point Cemetery.jpg File:Ingatu Ngaipu's gravestone, O'Neill's Point Cemetery.jpg File:Kiri Toto's gravestone, O'Neill's Point Cemetery.jpg </gallery>
== Gallery == <gallery> File:Inside O'Neill's.jpg|link=|Inside O'Neill's Cemetery </gallery>
== Reference List == <references />
== External links ==
* [https://www.aucklandmuseum.com/war-memorial/online-cenotaph Auckland Museum Online Cenotaph] * [https://www.cwgc.org/find-records/find-war-dead/search-results/?CemeteryExact=true&Cemetery=DEVONPORT+(O%27NEILL%27S+POINT)+CEMETERY&Sort=regiment&Page=2 Commonwealth War Graves] * [https://www.heritage.org.nz/list-details/9394/O%E2%80%99Neill%E2%80%99s-Point-Cemetery Heritage New Zealand site for O'Neill's Point Cemetery]
{{Cemeteries and crematoria in Auckland}} {{Devonport-Takapuna Local Board Area}}
Category:Heritage New Zealand Category 1 historic places in the Auckland Region Category:Cemeteries in Auckland Category:Devonport-Takapuna Local Board Area Category:North Shore, New Zealand