Artist's impression of the Erebus memorial. Photo / File
Artist's impression of the Erebus memorial. Photo / File
Plans for the National Erebus Memorial at Auckland’s Dove Myer Robinson Park have been scrapped because of safety concerns.
Manatū Taonga Ministry for Culture and Heritage today said that significant damage caused at the memorial site by recent extreme and unprecedented weather events means a new enduring home for the memorial needs to be found.
Erebus families were informed of the decision by Ministry of Culture and Heritage chief executive Leauanae Laulu Mac Leauanae at an online meeting this morning.
“This morning I met with families who lost their loved ones in the Erebus disaster, and members of the Operation Overdue recovery team, to inform them of my decision to seek a new site for the National Erebus Memorial.
“This has been a difficult decision to make because I know how upsetting it is for families. They remain at the absolute heart of this kaupapa,” said Leauanae.
He said the updated geotechnical advice shows that building the memorial at the park is no longer suitable or safe for the long term.
“Based on careful consideration of the advice, and after discussions with Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei Trust, Auckland Council, and our other project partners, I have decided a new, enduring site for the memorial needs to be found,” he said.
The siting of the memorial has a chequered and controversial background. Photo / Dean Purcell
Family members were emailed yesterday and told that following the recent extreme and unprecedented weather events, several landslips occurred along the cliff at Dove Myer Robinson Park near the site of the National Erebus Memorial.
Today’s online hui was hosted by the Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei Trust.
A large slip in the lower part of the park into Judges Bay caused by the January 27 floods raised concerns about cantilevering the concrete and steel structure over the park.
The slip led the council to fence off a pathway close to the edge of the slip.
The memorial has a chequered and controversial background, causing division among locals and families of the victims of the country’s largest peacetime loss of life when an Air New Zealand scenic flight over Antarctica in 1979 crashed into the side of Mt Erebus, killing all 257 people on board.
The planned national memorial has stalled following protests, concerns over a large neighbouring pōhutukawa, and claims the tone of the gardens will change.
The January 27 floods caused a number of slips on the cliff top at Judges Bay. Photo / George Block
Following the January 27 torrential rains one of the opponents to the Erebus memorial, Jo Malcolm, said residents have been trying to tell the council for nearly four years that the cliff face is unstable.
“We have challenged and questioned the cantilevering of 132 tonnes of concrete and steel over this fragile cliff face. We have been ignored by the Ministry for Culture and Heritage but also Auckland Council,” Malcolm said.
Leauanae said while the setback is undoubtedly difficult to hear, “we remain committed to realising the memorial and will be taking time to carefully consider what the next steps will be”.
“Manatū Taonga will continue to work closely with Erebus families, Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei Trust, Auckland Council and our other partners to secure a new, permanent home for the National Erebus Memorial,” he said.
Reverend Dr Richard Waugh, who initiated the memorial seven years ago, regretted today’s decision but said the latest report and photographs of the recent weather events clearly rendered the Dove Myer Robinson Park unusable as a safe memorial site.
Aviation historian Reverend Dr Richard Waugh. Photo / Dean Purcell
“I am confident about the new planning processes outlined by the ministry that the families’ views will be well taken into account as a new site is decided upon.
“I would ask all New Zealanders to continue to be respectful to the bereaved Erebus families, and for us collectively to do all we can to ensure that a suitable, welcoming National Erebus Memorial is established,” said Waugh, adding he hoped a decision would be made with urgency as some Erebus family members are elderly and do not want to miss the opening and dedication of the memorial.
Waitematā Local Board member Sarah Trotman said it was sad the ministry put Erebus families and the community through three years of hell when their professional advisers told them the site was at risk.
“It is a disgrace that they were blaming the recent weather events,” she said.
Former Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern was strongly committed to delivering a national memorial.
