A woman has been arrested as police investigate “concerns” around burials at Waikumete Cemetery in Auckland.
Police have been investigating the matter since the beginning of August this year.
Yesterday, a 48-year-old woman was taken into custody.
“The woman was arrested in Favona and has since been charged with misconduct in respect of human remains and nine counts of obtaining by deception,” Detective Inspector Glenn Baldwin said.
She is scheduled to appear in the Auckland District Court on Friday.
Baldwin called the arrest a “significant development” in the investigation, which remains ongoing.
“We cannot rule out further charges and hope this arrest brings some reassurance to those affected by this woman’s offending.
“As the matter is now before the court, Police are limited in providing further comment.”
According to Auckland Council, Waikumete Cemetery is New Zealand’s largest.
It is home to the Erebus Memorial, Holocaust Memorial, New Zealand Influenza Epidemic Memorial, and ANZAC Cenotaph.
The cemetery spans 108 hectares and is the resting place for more than 70,000 people.
