Loss of child inspires woman to pay tribute to mothers of all Whakaari/White Island victims

Wednesday, 9 December 2020

The heartbreak of losing a daughter inspired a Whakatāne woman to place a memorial to all mothers who lost children in the Whakaari eruption.

Trish Tutua was up at 4am on the anniversary of the disaster to place floral tributes outside a sacred cave in the Bay of Plenty town.

“I thought of all those 22 mothers of those people,” she told Stuff.

“It was my own heartbreak that inspired it – two years ago I buried my daughter.”

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Alongside the 22 flowers arrangements, one for each victim, she placed bottles filled with shells and a print-out of flags of those killed in the eruption.

The community is still hurting and healing, and she hopes her tribute may help in some way.

Other community members supported her too – flowers and other props were provided to her free.

She had also planned to place photographs of the 22 victims but instead placed them on candles for a dawn service held by Ngāti Awa.

“It was amazing. You could see their faces lit up with the candles,” she said.

The tribute was placed outside the Te Ana o Muriwai (Muriwai's cave) in Whakatāne.

Muriwai was held in high regard historically for her wisdom and second sight.

“This is aunty Muriwai's Cave,” Tutua said.

“I come here to carry its energy and healing into myself.”

Whakatāne has been dotted with small tributes to those lost in last year’s eruption.

The White Island Tours boats have had flowers placed on them. Some have travelled to the beachfront to pray, remember those lost or throw out flowers to the tide.