Christchurch confirmed as the new home for the National Erebus Memorial

Thursday, 27 November 2025

A permanent National Erebus Memorial will be built at Cracroft Reserve in Christchurch, overlooking the city and the Southern Alps.

It will be positioned in Cracroft Reserve, just down from the Sign of the Takahe on Cashmere Hill, according to Leauanae Laulu Mac Leauanae, chief executive of the Ministry for Culture and Heritage Manatū Taonga, and Christchurch mayor Phil Mauger.

Cracroft Reserve already has an elevated platform that gives views over the suburbs, the city centre and, on a clear day, Christchurch Airport.

Air New Zealand Flight TE901 was supposed to land in Christchurch on November 28, 1979, on a return flight from Antarctica. But it crashed into Mt Erebus and 257 passengers and crew were killed.

The Christchurch stopover was to be brief and the jet was to carry on to Auckland, where a large majority of passengers and crew resided and where the round-trip flight originated.

For these reasons, the memorial was originally designed for Auckland, but years of disagreement led the ministry to scout Wellington and Christchurch locations.

The Christchurch shortlist included a site on the banks of the Avon River in the central city, St James’ Church grounds in Harewood near the airport, and the Cashmere site.

The memorial will honour the 257 people on Flight TE901 and provide a space for Erebus families, members of Operation Overdue, New Zealanders and international visitors to gather, remember and reflect.

Manatū Taonga explored 50 different sites for the memorial in the greater Auckland area over the past two years but said no suitable site was found, and Takaparawhau was no longer available.

“Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei is fully supportive of the Memorial being located with Ngāi Tūāhuriri and the people of Christchurch. I acknowledge the participation of Ngāi Tūāhuriri in the site selection process and warm welcome of Erebus families, the Ministry and the Memorial,” Leauanae said in a statement on Thursday.

“I have been heartened by Christchurch’s warmth, generosity and support through the process of identifying potential sites. Having been offered two possible sites by the Mayor of Christchurch earlier this year, I have chosen Cracroft Reserve as the preferred site for the Memorial.

“Cracroft Reserve has panoramic views over Christchurch and out to the Southern Alps. It’s a space where both quiet moments or group gatherings can take place, it’s tranquil, green, and has a beautiful outlook. I am confident that this site will be fitting for the memorial.”

The Avon Riverbank was also a very strong site with many positive attributes, Leauanae said, and he had decided to retain it as an alternative site if Cracroft Reserve did not eventuate for any reason.

“It’s been almost 46 years since the Erebus disaster - Aotearoa’s worst civil accident. A memorial is long overdue, and what I know for certain is that Erebus families deserve a memorial as soon as possible. Cracroft Reserve in Christchurch is our best opportunity to make that happen,” he said.

“I am confident that Christchurch’s warm welcome to Erebus families, and the city’s experience and understanding of the importance of remembrance will provide the right space for this national memorial.”