Grave sites at click of mouse

By REBECCA WALSH

If you've given up the search for a long-lost uncle's grave, software designed by Greg Suter may be just what you need.

Mr Suter, a student at the Manukau Institute of Technology, developed Cemtrack as part of his bachelor of information systems degree.

It incorporates aerial shots of Otahuhu, Waiheke Island, Waikaraka and Hillsborough cemeteries and enables staff to pinpoint where a person is buried and which burial sites are reserved.

It also provides information about the person and the size and dimensions of the burial site.

"At the moment when someone comes to try to find someone they have to look up historical records, dating back to the turn of the century. They are old and it takes time," Mr Suter said.

Auckland City cemeteries manager Rob Hillebrand said staff had to look up a basic computer database, match a number with a name and look up a plot plan to locate a burial site.

At Waikaraka Cemetery, where nearly 20,000 people are buried, visitors regularly return to the office unable to follow the A4 map.

Now, with a few clicks of a mouse, a computer-generated photo of the cemetery will show where Great-uSncle Harry is buried.

"It will be 100 per cent easier to find a grave now," Mr Hillebrand said.

It will also make cemetery planning easier.

Mr Suter hopes cemeteries around the country will be interested in the programme, which took about 500 hours to develop.