Wanganui council approves murder memorial

Wanganui District Council has approved a permanent memorial to murder victim Tania McKenzie.

Her naked and beaten body was found floating in the Whanganui River on January 7, 2005, after a night out to celebrate her birthday.

Shane Randle, 28, was in May 2007 sentenced to preventive detention and life imprisonment for her murder and two counts of sexual violation.

Wanganui had been shocked by the brutal murder , Wanganui mayor Michael Laws said today.

"The council wants to support the McKenzie family in ensuring there is a permanent memorial to Tania," he said.

Family and friends had kept an unofficial memorial to Ms McKenzie on the Somme Parade riverbank near the Dublin Street Bridge, Mr Laws said.

That was an appropriate to place a permanent bronze plaque, council felt.

"Many of us didn't know Tania personally but the whole community recognises the terrible loss suffered by her family," Mr Laws said.

"I'm pleased to have been able to talk with Tania's mum Naelene about the memorial and offer her the council's support."

At its meeting on Monday, the council approved the erection of a plaque with the following wording:

In loving memory of Tania Rebecka McKenzie, 7 January 1985 - 7 January 2005 "no shadow can extinguish her light" loved daughter, granddaughter, sister & friend.

- NZPA