Online graves to treasure buried

Ruapehu District Council is asking people to send in photos of relatives buried in local cemeteries to create virtual grave sites.

The council is using drones to create 3D maps of cemeteries and will combine them with photos of the deceased to allow people to find and visit a loved one’s grave — online.

Mayor Don Cameron said the project could be a first for any New Zealand council.

“We are wanting to provide the ability for people to visit any Ruapehu cemetery online, view it in 3D, and select a grave site that will then display the relevant records for that grave, including a picture ...

“Council has been working with a local historian to locate photos of the buried people that will display with records for that grave.

“We are also hoping that family members alive today will be able to help supply photos of their relatives that we can use to help populate the database.”

Council IT manager Stuart Campbell said a 3D “walkthrough” should allow nonlocals searching for relatives to “feel more connected with their ancestors and personal history”.