An Auckland cemetery has turned into a colourful, happy place, thanks to the Pasifika families who go there. Vaimoana Mase shares her story as she and visual journalist Corey Fleming make a summer evening visit. Growing up, I never liked cemeteries. It was not so much the death part that might scare most kids, or even adults. It was because it always felt sad, no matter whose grave we were visiting. And too quiet. When my Dad died almost a year ago, in February, the cemetery suddenly became a second home to our family. Still bloody sad. But the cemetery had changed for me. A part of me lay in the ground now. It was now more sacred knowing Dad was resting there too. It is how this story was inspired in the first place. Manukau Memorial Gardens cemetery in Papatoetoe, South Auckland, is no ordinary cemetery. Quiet – yes, sometimes. But many times, often at the weekend or on particularly nice evenings, you will find a queue of vehicles heading into the grounds for family time. At night, Manukau Memorial Garden cemetery lights up in full colour. Photo / Corey Fleming Yes, family time. The first time we went to the cemetery on a Saturday there were two large family gatherings nearby. One had a tent up with everyone seated on fold-out chairs in front of their respective loved one’s headstone. They had food and music. On the other side – a grassy section with no graves yet – a group of kids were playing a game of touch. It is not something you would expect to see at a cemetery – laughter, music, banter. Life. At first, it felt somewhat disrespectful, but as the months went on, we started to get to know lots of those families and their stories. We became one of those families. turning up to Dad’s grave to play his favourite songs and sharing a meal. It is normal at this cemetery and it is no doubt a reflection of the strong Pacific Island community in Auckland. ‘Our second home... you can feel joy in this place’ In Samoa, for example, many families bury their loved ones in front of their homes. The grave is tended to regularly as a result. Children play around it and family members often sit there for long periods of time. Those who have passed are still a part of everyday life. The Uelese family meet at their father's /grandfather's grave together as a family at least once a month and on special occasions. Photo / Corey Fleming For the children of the late lay preacher Malopito Sefo Uelese, meeting together at their father’s grave is a must at least once a month and has become a tradition for almost five years. On the day we see them, there is loud laughter coming from their group. The children are playing in the background as their parents catch up. “It’s like a second home to us because our dad is here. We always come here and have a talk like we used to do. We love coming here,” Pearly Atoaga says. “Before Dad passed away, we always went past and it’s like a scary place to us. But ever since he passed away, it’s become a second home.” Her sister, Baby Evagelia, talks about the joy found in what is usually a sad place. “Every Christmas, it’s very beautiful. Every time we come to our dad, we always wait here until it’s dark and all the lights come up. It’s so colourful. You can feel joy inside this place, with different families around. The grave of Malopito Sefo Uelese at Manukau Memorial Gardens cemetery in South Auckland. Photo / Corey Fleming “Even the [people] next to our dad, we just say this is our mama and this is our mama,” she says, pointing to the two headstones on either side of their father’s. “Seeing all these families here, it’s all about love. You can feel love and happiness inside this area.” Come sunset, the cemetery lights up The graves and headstones are often decorated with grand colourful gestures of love and celebration – flowers, large photo displays and flags from every Pacific nation. Solar lights of all kinds are also used. Come sunset, the entire cemetery lights up in colourful ambience that alway...