Manatū Taonga Ministry for Culture and Heritage announced today that significant damage caused at the proposed National Erebus Memorial site by recent extreme and unprecedented weather events in Auckland, means a new home for the memorial needs to be found.
Final approval for national memorial was made in November, 2020.
Howick’s Rev Dr Richard Waugh was the initiator of the National Erebus Memorial project (from early 2016) and is an aviation chaplain and historian.
In a statement to the Times, Waugh said as the initiator of the National Erebus Memorial over seven years ago, it is a matter of real regret to him “and the Erebus families I am sure”, that the process has taken so long to establish the national memorial to the Erebus air accident of 1979, still New Zealand’s worst peacetime disaster.
“From the recent report and photographs, the recent extreme weather events have clearly rendered the Dove-Myer Robinson Park site unusable as a safe memorial site,” Waugh said.
“I commend the Government, the Ministry of Culture & Heritage, Ngati Whatua Orakei, and Auckland Council as they now consider the best new site.
“I recall the significant consultation with Erebus families about the key characteristics regarding the memorial and site; which indicated families wanted a memorial that was easily accessible, attractive and not in a cemetery nor at Auckland International Airport.
“I am confident about the new planning processes outlined by the Ministry that the families’ views will be well taken into account as a new site is decided upon. I would ask all New Zealanders to continue to be respectful to the bereaved Erebus families and for us collectively to do all we can to ensure that a suitable, welcoming National Erebus Memorial is established.
“Further, as an aviation chaplain, my plea would be for pastoral urgency, as some senior Erebus family members, particularly the many spouses and siblings of victims, are now elderly and do not want to miss the very special opening and dedication of the National Erebus Memorial.”
The memorial site faces Judges Bay and takes a small portion of grass area and step bank with the TePaerangi Ataata – Sky Song design by award-winning Studio Pacific Architecture, in collaboration with artists Jason O’Hara and Warren Maxwell.
The design incorporated a walkway with two feature walls, using materials which evoke the stark beauty of the Antarctic environment: one curved wall of mirrored stainless steel featuring 257 snowflake shapes cut out to represent each person who was lost; the other of white concrete, listing their names and an extract from Bill Manhire’s poem Erebus Voices. A glass balustrade at the apex provides expansive views.
Secretary and chief executive for Culture and Heritage, Leauanae Laulu Mac Leauanae, said in a statement today that he met with families who lost their loved ones in the Erebus disaster, and members of the Operation Overdue recovery team, to inform them of her decision to seek a new site for the National Erebus Memorial.
“This has been a difficult decision to make because I know how upsetting it is for families. They remain at the absolute heart of this Kaupapa,” Leauanae said.
“When Taurarua/Dove-Myer Robinson Park in Parnell was selected as the site for a dedicated National Erebus Memorial in 2018, it was a safe and fitting site to commemorate the 257 people who tragically lost their lives on the slopes of Mt Erebus, Antarctica on November 28,1979.
“Following the unprecedented and extreme weather in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland earlier this year, and the significant damage to the coastline near the site for the memorial, Manatū Taonga Ministry for Culture and Heritage commissioned updated geotechnical engineering advice to ensure the design of the memorial is appropriate both now, and in the future.
“However, the updated geotechnical advice shows that building the memorial at the Taurarua / Dove-Myer Robinson Park is no longer suitable or safe for the long term. Based on careful consideration of the advice, and after discussions with Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei Trust, Auckland Council and our other project partners, I have decided a new, enduring site for the memorial needs to be found.
“This morning I spoke with Erebus whānau, who have been incredibly supportive and gracious throughout this long journey. It is upsetting that we were not able to share better news with them today. I know the families have waited for years to see a National Erebus Memorial realised.
“While this setback is undoubtably difficult to hear, we remain committed to realising the memorial and will be taking time to carefully consider what the next steps will be.
“Manatū Taonga will continue to work closely with Erebus families, Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei Trust, Auckland Council and our other partners to secure a new, permanent home for the National Erebus Memorial.”
“Erebus remains the worst civil accident in our history, and the sheer scale of the loss shocked the nation. The tragedy and its aftermath have left a lasting legacy on our national identity and deserves, along with the 257 treasured people who lost their lives that day, to be appropriately commemorated.
“I am speaking directly to the Erebus families when I say that despite this setback, me and my team at Manatū Taonga are absolutely and resolutely committed to securing a home for the National Erebus Memorial that endures for present and future generations of New Zealanders.”
