Mystery flower rearrangement at Upper Hutt cemetery outrages families

Dozens of vases of flowers have been moved from headstones at an Upper Hutt cemetery, and the local council is asking those with loved ones buried there to help reunite them.

A picture posted to Facebook by the Upper Hutt City Council showed the vases had been moved away from headstones and arranged around a nearby seat at Akatārawa Cemetery.

"Unfortunately, someone has has visited Akatārawa Cemetery overnight and removed all the flowers and vases from a section of the Monumental 4 area," the council said.

"We're very disappointed this has happened and are asking anyone who has loved ones in rows 31-40 of Monumental 4 to please come by and help us reunite them with their flowers."

People could check the Akatārawa cemetery database for their locations, it said.

Comments on the council's Facebook post ranged from anger to offers of help to put the flowers back.

"So angry, my grandmother is buried in that area," said one.

"Absolutely disgusting and disrespectful behaviour," said another.

Many were alerting their whānau and arranging to visit the cemetery and claim their flowers.

The council told RNZ police were investigating.

Police have been approached for comment.