When family-owned business Simply Funerals set out to move their Hamilton facility from Wairere Drive to Te Rapa Road, they knew the planning process would be anything but simple.
The planning challenges
The new site, located opposite Bunnings on Te Rapa Road, sat within the Industrial Zone. Funeral homes are not specifically provided for in this zone, meaning they default to a Non-Complying Activity, the most restrictive status under the Resource Management Act. For most applicants, this alone would make the resource consent process daunting.
To add to the complexity, Plan Change 13 (Te Rapa Racecourse Private Plan Change) sought to rezone the racecourse land next door from Major Facilities to Residential. If the new zoning had become operative before consents were secured, it would have made establishing a cremator on the site almost impossible due to the perceived effects on future residents.
CKL’s solution
CKL’s planning and transport teams worked strategically and quickly to de-risk the project. Key steps included:
- Acting ahead of the zoning change - securing a certificate of compliance for the cremator separately from the wider funeral home consent before the new zoning became operative.
- Collaborating across disciplines - combining planning expertise with transport engineering input to develop a workable consent package.
- Negotiating practical consent conditions - ensuring the new facility could be established without burdensome requirements.
Quick Facts: Planning in Action
- Plan Change 13 – Te Rapa Racecourse
Proposed rezoning from Major Facilities to Residential. Would have made cremator consent almost impossible if left too late.
- Non-Complying Activity
Funeral homes are not provided for in Hamilton’s Industrial Zone, meaning they face the toughest category of consent. - CKL’s Approach
• Certificate of compliance obtained early for the cremator
• Separate resource consent for the funeral home itself
• Integrated transport and planning expertise
• Practical consent conditions that enable real-world use
More than just consents
Behind every project CKL works on, there are people and communities who benefit. In this case, it was about helping a trusted family-owned business continue providing an essential service, one that supports families at their most difficult times.
The new funeral home at 449 Te Rapa Road is modern, welcoming, and designed with care. It ensures Hamilton families have a choice in how they farewell loved ones, with facilities that meet today’s needs while preparing for the future.
Planning with purpose
The result is a facility that not only meets planning and zoning requirements but also strengthens community infrastructure. Simply Funerals can now continue their mission of compassionate, family-centred service from a new, purpose-built home.
This project is a strong example of how CKL helps clients navigate planning hurdles that could otherwise stall or derail a development. From zoning changes to non-complying activities, CKL provides practical strategies that get projects across the line — with lasting benefits for the communities they serve.
This project highlights the importance of acting quickly and strategically in a changing planning environment. We’re proud to have supported Simply Funerals in establishing their beautiful new Hamilton home.
If you’re navigating resource consent challenges, talk to CKL’s planning team today.
