On 28 November 1979, 257 lives were lost when flight TE901 crashed on Mt Erebus, Antarctica.
The ensuing failures of the government of the day, and Air New Zealand, compounded the suffering of Erebus families including those involved in the ice phase (recovery). Forty years on, 28 November 2019, the Rt Hon Jacinda Ardern, Prime Minister of New Zealand, apologised, “for the actions of the airline then in full state ownership”.
A pledge was given to build a National Erebus Memorial but the question remains, where?
Proposal for a dedicated, purpose-built, Erebus Memorial Park.
The purpose of this kaupapa is to develop the opportunity for a dedicated Erebus Memorial Park for the National Erebus Memorial, for the consideration of all those affected by the Erebus tragedy and the wider community.
The proposed Western Springs Precinct location presents the following key opportunities:
• A dedicated Erebus Memorial Park
• Central Auckland location, close to major transport links - motorway, bus, cycleway and carparking
• Adjacent the aviation section of the Museum of Transport and Technology - opportunity for ongoing education on the Erebus tragedy and for long term, inter-generational remembrance
• Adjacent to Meola Reef Reserve Te Tokaroa which is the subject of a major upgrade. Te Tokaroa is home to diverse wildlife on the shores of the Waitemat-a. It is also dog walking friendly.
• Be a destination in its own right and be a true place for reflection and remembrance.[1]
The design concept of the Erebus Memorial Park has two key elements:
The upper, formal area incorporates the Te Paerangi Ataata - Skysong (the existing proposed Memorial design element) that looks skyward and toward Meola Reef Reserve Te Tokaroa, the rock formation built by fairies out into the harbour to escape at night before the morning light. The outfall on the eastern side of the reef is from the springs that were the second major water source for the nascent city.
The lower, walled garden includes opportunity for a waterfall and fresh water reflection pool within a private, garden setting. The lower aspect of the site is currently a carpark. The Erebus Memorial Park would transform asphalt to grass, trees and water-source, a place of new life and renewal, and provide opportunity for family members to select trees for this living memorial.
[1] Refer to Boffa Miskell, Erebus Memorial Site Selection Process, 17 August 2018.
Context for the proposal of a dedicated Erebus Memorial Park.
The current location selected by the Ministry for Culture and Heritage for the National Erebus Memorial is the historic Dove Myer Robinson Park on Mataharehare /Taurarua Pa site in Parnell, Auckland.
However, the site selection process for that location was poor and its unsuitability established by the Ministry’s independent advisors. That site has been rejected by large sections of the community including Erebus whanau due to flawed process. Aubrey Brough was a passenger on TE901 and his daughter Margaret’s change.org/mataharehare petition to parliament has collected 15,000 signatures.
For more information on that site visit www.SOSNZ.org.nz
New Zealand needs to find a meaningful home now for the National Erebus Memorial, and the proposed, dedicated Erebus Memorial Park at Western Springs Precinct could provide this.
We want locals to view the plans and give us their suggestions regarding the design and the location.
There have been other sites suggested but there are so many good reasons to have the memorial at Western Springs. There is the Museum of Transport and Technology’s Aviation Hall for a start. There’s also the popular tram service, and locals know all about the beautiful walks out to Meola Reef. There is the zoo and Western Springs Forest; families could make a day of it.
The land suggested would be large enough to incorporate the Memorial’s existing design design and a lower walled garden could contain a water reflection pool or waterfall within a beautiful garden setting.
We are not speaking on behalf of all Erebus families. We are simply putting this opportunity out there. It is an informed opportunity, based on the Boffa Miskell report, and the Colmar Brunton survey.
(Boffa Miskell Erebus Disaster Memorial site selection process. 17 August 2018.) (Colmar Brunton Families of Erebus / Overdue Ice Phase Members prepared at the request of the Ministry of Culture and Heritage. 14 August 2018.)
The Erebus Memorial Park initiative is working to provide an option for the consideration of Erebus whanau and the wider community and welcomes your thoughts, input and involvement.
For further details visit www.EMP.org.nz
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Published 6 August 2021