Visitors from as far away as Australia, and a former New Zealand prime minister, attended the opening of the upgrade on Sunday.
For the past six years, the Pukerau Cemetery Support Group Trust has been overseeing a $65,000 makeover of the facilities and grounds at the cemetery.
The project included removing trees, building a kiosk with information panels and constructing a new fence around the Catholic section of the cemetery.
The people buried in 43 unmarked graves in the area have been identified and memorial stones have been installed.
The celebration started at the Catholic block of the cemetery with a karakia by Hokonui Runanga cultural adviser Matu-Taera Coleman-Clarke.
The Rev Michael Welsh blessed the cemetery, and the previously unmarked graves had new headstones unveiled.
Former New Zealand prime minister Dame Jenny Shipley — whose father, the late Len Robson, was a former Pukerau Presbyterian Church minister — cut the ribbon to open the information kiosk.
The group then went to the Pukerau Community Centre to listen to speakers, including former Gore mayor Tracy Hicks, Southland MP Joseph Mooney, and Gore District Memorial RSA padre Bruce Cavanagh.
Trust chairman John Falconer said after six years it was good to be able to celebrate the work completed at the cemetery.
"How special has it been to have people come from Australia, to come from the North Island [and] have special guests come from all around New Zealand."
It was especially good to have descendants at the event from those who had been buried in the previously unmarked graves, he said.
The cemetery would be a good resource for people wanting to know more about their Pukerau ancestors.
Dame Jenny said she was impressed with the upgrade.
"I think it’s not only honouring those who have passed — I think it’s a reflection of the Pukerau community and its strengths."
The kiosk which commemorated those who served the country, as well as the early history of the area, was "beautiful", she said.
Her father’s first appointment had been in Pukerau and the family had a strong connection to the area.
"It’s fun to be back to celebrate."
