Memorial site for Mt Erebus crash victims proposed for Parnell Rose Gardens in Auckland

Friday, 16 November 2018

The memorial of the Mt Erebus crash in Antarctica.

A memorial site for the 1979 Mt Erebus air disaster victims is being proposed at Auckland's Parnell Rose Gardens.

On November 28, 1979, an Air New Zealand flight crashed into Mt Erebus in Antarctica, killing all 257 passengers and crew on board.

The Erebus National Memorial (ENM) advisory group has been working to set up an epitaph to honour all that died.

The Ministry for Arts, Culture and Heritage has proposed to the Waitematā Local Board to have a National Erebus Memorial constructed.

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Dove-Myer Robinson Park, also known as Parnell Rose Gardens, is a proposed site for an Erebus memorial.

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It was proposed for Dove-Myer Robinson Park, also known as Parnell Rose Gardens.

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said she was pleased with the progress towards creating the memorial.

Erebus National Memorial spokesman Richard Waugh said the proposed site was consistent with what families had said about an elegant and accessible location that wasn't a cemetery.

'Erebus remains one of New Zealand's worst civil disasters, and the memorial will recognise this event and honour the memory of those who died,' Ardern said.

'The team at the Ministry for Culture and Heritage has been working closely with the families of the Erebus victims, to understand what they would like, as well as considering the requirements of a national memorial.'

Ardern said the ministry had been working with Auckland Council, iwi, and community groups in order to choose the right site.

Families were also asked to provide feedback on the site.

ENM spokesman Richard Waugh said the proposed site for the memorial was consistent with what families had said about an elegant and accessible location that wasn't a cemetery.

'I think our advocacy group is very commending of the process.

'It's firming up after several years of work so we are very happy about the process.'

Auckland Mayor Phil Goff said it was appropriate that victims of the plane crash be commemorated.

'Dove-Myer Robinson Park/Taurarua Pā is a beautiful site. We're pleased to have [a] proposal that meets the wishes of many family members of the Erebus victims and acknowledges that the flight left from Auckland,' Goff said.

'Feedback included that the site be a place of peaceful contemplation and reflection and a place for informal family gatherings.'

The memorial was due to be established in 2020.