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Otago Daily Times
6 days ago
- General
- Otago Daily Times
Families hope proposed Christchurch sites end Erebus memorial wait
By Anna Sargent of RNZ Some families of Mt Erebus victims who have endured an excruciating wait for a national memorial hope the emergence of three potential sites in Christchurch will eventually put an end to years of controversy and delay. The Ministry for Culture and Heritage was seeking feedback from families about building a memorial on the Avon River bank in the central city, in Cracroft Reserve in Cashmere or the St James' Church grounds in Harewood to remember the 257 people killed in the plane crash in Antarctica in 1979. A plan for a memorial in Auckland's Dove Meyer Robinson Park in Parnell faced major pushback, with objectors claiming it would change the tone of the gardens. The plan was ultimately abandoned in 2023 after cyclone damage meant the land was unsafe to build on. The government committed to building a memorial in 2017. Erebus captain's daughter grateful for Chch offer Phil Stewart, who lost his aunt Dawn Matthews in the disaster, said the wait was frustrating. "For a lot of us, there's a fair bit of unresolved grief related to Erebus, and this dragging out hasn't helped," he said. "My own brother, who was equally keen for the memorial to be built, has died since this process started, so he never got to see the memorial. I'm sure there are a lot of other stories like that, too. "I just want it sorted, and I will be very sad if it descends to bickering about whether it should be Auckland or Christchurch. I just think we need to get it done." As a Wellingtonian, Stewart said he was neutral about which city the memorial should be built in, but it was ultimately important for it to be a respectful place where families could gather to reflect and remember. "Either place would involve some travel for me. I think Christchurch is fine, obviously Auckland was the first starting point, but to be honest, I think Auckland has had its chance and I think they've blown it," he said. The Avon River bank was Stewart's favourite option. "I've visited the earthquake memorial along there a couple of times, and it occurred to me this would be a nice site. It's very accessible, it's quite a peaceful setting, and it's in the heart of Christchurch. "To me, it also shows Christchurch is embracing the memorial and offering some hospitality, which is much appreciated. "Cracroft Park on the Port Hills is fine too, from a different perspective, it offers these sweeping views of the plains and mountains and is somehow more connected to the sky." David Allan, who lost his parents and sister in the Erebus disaster, told Checkpoint that a national memorial was long overdue. "My view is regardless of location, the important thing is that we actually have a memorial. I am ambivalent about whether it be Auckland or Christchurch," he said. "It's a complete indictment of our society that after all this time we don't have one, and it's still causing considerable anguish for a lot of people." Kathryn Carter, the eldest daughter of the late Erebus captain Jim Collins, said she wanted to see Auckland "take ownership" of the national memorial. She said the Christchurch offer was generous, but she believed Auckland was most suitable because it was home to a significant number of passengers and crew. The flight departed from Auckland, so the city would be the best place for the memorial to celebrate Erebus passengers' "journey into the unknown" and to celebrate their lives, Carter said. However, the whole country was involved in the tragedy, making it frustrating that there was still no memorial decades after the disaster. Christchurch mayor Phil Mauger said the city was honoured to be considered as a possible location. "We just offered and said if we can help, we certainly will," he said. "I go down to the earthquake memorial, and you see people there holding their hands on their loved one's name and remembering, so it's important, we know what it's like. "Two of the places that have been suggested are council land, we're more than happy to give that for the cause, it's up to the families or the Ministry for Culture and Heritage to decide where they want to put it." The ministry's senior officer responsible for the memorial, Glenis Philip-Barbara, told Morning Report families had been surveyed on preferred alternatives to Auckland. "Christchurch came up on top, and then, of course, we received the very generous offer from the mayor of Christchurch city to consider them," she said. "So we moved off to Christchurch to have a look and see what we could present to families." She acknowledged the wait for a memorial had been "excruciating" for families. "It has been a long journey and far more difficult than we ever anticipated. There are many Erebus families who just want us to get on and build a memorial." The site at Auckland's Takaparawhau was also being considered, she said.
RNZ News
7 days ago
- General
- RNZ News
Families hope proposed Christchurch sites end Erebus memorial wait
Photo: Courtesy of Archives New Zealand Some families of Mt Erebus victims who have endured an excruciating wait for a national memorial hope the emergence of three potential sites in Christchurch will eventually put an end to years of controversy and delay. The Ministry for Culture and Heritage was seeking feedback from families about building a memorial on the Avon River bank in the central city, in Cracroft Reserve in Cashmere or the St James' Church grounds in Harewood to remember the 257 people killed in the plane crash in Antarctica in 1979. A plan for a memorial in Auckland's Dove Meyer Robinson Park in Parnell faced major pushback , with objectors claiming it would change the tone of the gardens. The plan was ultimately abandoned in 2023 after cyclone damage meant the land was unsafe to build on. Protesters in 2022 occupied the pā site of Mataharehare in protest of the then-planned Erebus memorial at Sir Dove-Myer Robinson Park in Parnell. Photo: RNZ The government committed to building a memorial in 2017. Phil Stewart, who lost his aunt Dawn Matthews in the disaster, said the wait was frustrating. "For a lot of us, there's a fair bit of unresolved grief related to Erebus, and this dragging out hasn't helped," he said. "My own brother, who was equally keen for the memorial to be built, has died since this process started, so he never got to see the memorial. I'm sure there are a lot of other stories like that, too. "I just want it sorted, and I will be very sad if it descends to bickering about whether it should be Auckland or Christchurch. I just think we need to get it done." As a Wellingtonian, Stewart said he was neutral about which city the memorial should be built in, but it was ultimately important for it to be a respectful place where families could gather to reflect and remember. "Either place would involve some travel for me. I think Christchurch is fine, obviously Auckland was the first starting point, but to be honest, I think Auckland has had its chance and I think they've blown it," he said. The Avon River bank was Stewart's favourite option. Landscape around the River Avon and Victoria Square in Christchurch on a warm spring day in New Zealand Photo: 123RF / Chris Putnam "I've visited the earthquake memorial along there a couple of times, and it occurred to me this would be a nice site. It's very accessible, it's quite a peaceful setting, and it's in the heart of Christchurch. "To me, it also shows Christchurch is embracing the memorial and offering some hospitality, which is much appreciated. "Cracroft Park on the Port Hills is fine too, from a different perspective, it offers these sweeping views of the plains and mountains and is somehow more connected to the sky." David Allan, who lost his parents and sister in the Erebus disaster, told Checkpoint that a national memorial was long overdue. David Allan's parents Malyon and Marjorie were on the flight, along with his sister Jane. Photo: Supplied "My view is regardless of location, the important thing is that we actually have a memorial. I am ambivalent about whether it be Auckland or Christchurch," he said. "It's a complete indictment of our society that after all this time we don't have one, and it's still causing considerable anguish for a lot of people." Kathryn Carter, the eldest daughter of the late Erebus captain Jim Collins, said she wanted to see Auckland "take ownership" of the national memorial. Kathryn Carter's father was Jim Collins, the pilot of the Erebus flight. She was 15 when he died. Photo: RNZ / Cole Eastham-Farrelly She said the Christchurch offer was generous, but she believed Auckland was most suitable because it was home to a significant number of passengers and crew. The flight departed from Auckland, so the city would be the best place for the memorial to celebrate Erebus passengers' "journey into the unknown" and to celebrate their lives, Carter said. However, the whole country was involved in the tragedy, making it frustrating that there was still no memorial decades after the disaster. Photo: Colin Monteith / Antarctica New Zealand Pictorial Collection Christchurch mayor Phil Mauger said the city was honoured to be considered as a possible location. "We just offered and said if we can help, we certainly will," he said. "I go down to the earthquake memorial, and you see people there holding their hands on their loved one's name and remembering, so it's important, we know what it's like. "Two of the places that have been suggested are council land, we're more than happy to give that for the cause, it's up to the families or the Ministry for Culture and Heritage to decide where they want to put it." The ministry's senior officer responsible for the memorial, Glenis Philip-Barbara, told Morning Report families had been surveyed on preferred alternatives to Auckland. "Christchurch came up on top, and then, of course, we received the very generous offer from the mayor of Christchurch city to consider them," she said. "So we moved off to Christchurch to have a look and see what we could present to families." A cross on Mt Erebus marks the 257 people killed in the 1979 plane crash. Photo: supplied She acknowledged the wait for a memorial had been "excruciating" for families. "It has been a long journey and far more difficult than we ever anticipated. There are many Erebus families who just want us to get on and build a memorial." The site at Auckland's Takaparawhau was also being considered, she said. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
Otago Daily Times
16-07-2025
- General
- Otago Daily Times
Erebus captain's daughter says memorial belongs in Auckland
Kathryn Carter's father Jim Collins was the pilot of the Erebus flight. She was 15 when he died. Photo: RNZ / Cole Eastham-Farrelly The eldest daughter of the Erebus captain says she's grateful to Christchurch for offering to host a memorial, but still believes the national memorial should be in Auckland. On Wednesday, the Ministry of Culture and Heritage announced three possible Christchurch locations for an Erebus memorial site have been shared with families. The sites will honour the 257 people who lost their lives in 1979 when Flight TE901 crashed into the slopes of Mt Erebus in Antarctica while on a sight-seeing tour. An earlier plan for the memorial to be built at a park in Auckland city's fringe suburb of Parnell triggered opposition from several groups - including people who feared for the health of a pōhutukawa and others who worried it would change the tone of the park. The plan was abandoned in 2023 after storm damage made it unsafe to build on the site. Photo: Colin Monteith / Antarctica New Zealand Pictorial Collection Kathryn Carter, the eldest daughter of the late Erebus captain Jim Collins, said she wanted to see Auckland "take ownership" for the national memorial, which is long overdue. She said it was generous for Christchurch City to offer to host the memorial, but believed Auckland was most suitable for it - as the home city for a significant number of passengers and crew members on board Erebus. Carter said that sentiment was shared among many of the family members of victims whom she had kept in touch with over the years. Auckland was where the flight departed and the city would be the best place for the memorial to celebrate Erebus passengers' "journey into the unknown" and to celebrate their lives, Carter said. She said Auckland, as the main hub in New Zealand, would also be the most convenient place for the family of the victims across the country and the world to come and pay tribute. Carter said "the whole of NZ is involved in the loss" and added that it was frustrating that there was still no national memorial decades after the disaster.
Otago Daily Times
16-07-2025
- General
- Otago Daily Times
Erebus captain's daughter grateful for Chch offer but says national memorial belongs in Auckland
Kathryn Carter's father Jim Collins was the pilot of the Erebus flight. She was 15 when he died. Photo: RNZ / Cole Eastham-Farrelly The eldest daughter of the Erebus' captain says she's grateful to Christchurch for offering to host a memorial, but still believes the national memorial should be in Auckland. On Wednesday, the Ministry of Culture and Heritage announced three possible Christchurch locations for an Erebus memorial site have been shared with families. The sites will honour the 257 people who lost their lives in 1979 when Flight TE901 crashed into the slopes of Mt Erebus in Antarctica while on a sight-seeing tour. An earlier plan for the memorial to be built at a park in Auckland city's fringe suburb of Parnell triggered opposition from several groups - including people who feared for the health of a pōhutukawa and others who worried it would change the tone of the park. The plan was abandoned in 2023 after storm damage made it unsafe to build on the site. Photo: Colin Monteith / Antarctica New Zealand Pictorial Collection Kathryn Carter, the eldest daughter of the late Erebus captain Jim Collins, said she wants to see Auckland "take ownership" for the national memorial, which is long overdue. She said it was generous for Christchurch City to offer to host the memorial, but believed Auckland was most suitable for it - as the home city for a significant number of passengers and crew members on board Erebus. Carter said that sentiment was shared among many of the family members of victims whom she had kept in touch with over the years. Auckland was where the flight departed and the city would be the best place for the memorial to celebrate Erebus passengers' "journey into the unknown" and to celebrate their lives, Carter said. She said Auckland, as the main hub in New Zealand, would also be the most convenient place for the family of the victims across the country and the world to come and pay tribute. Carter said "the whole of NZ is involved in the loss" and added that it was frustrating that there was still no national memorial decades after the disaster.
1News
16-07-2025
- General
- 1News
Focus for Erebus memorial sites turns to Christchurch
After years of controversy and delays, three new potential sites for an Erebus memorial have been announced. All 257 people lost their lives in 1979 when Flight TE901 crashed into the slopes of Mt Erebus in Antarctica while on a sight-seeing tour. Families have been waiting for a permanent location in New Zealand to honour their lives ever since. In 2018, Auckland's Parnell Rose Gardens was selected as the spot for it, but the land was damaged by poor weather in 2023. Then, on the 45th anniversary of the disaster in November last year, the Ministry of Heritage and Culture advised a decision on a new site would be made by the end of the year. ADVERTISEMENT Nine months on it's revealed it's considering three new options in Christchurch. Secretary for Culture and Heritage, Leauanae Laulu Mac Leauanae said: 'The potential sites we shared with Erebus families and members of Operation Overdue are Avon Riverbank in the central city, Cracroft Reserve in Cashmere and St James' Church grounds in Harewood.' The Ministry said one other site remains under consideration in Auckland, which is Takaparawhau, Bastion Point. A spokesperson added: "Any decisions about where the National Erebus Memorial will be located will be made by the Ministry's Chief Executive, Leauanae Laulu Mac Leauanae, who will consider the offer alongside any other viable options in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland." The Ministry is currently seeking feedback from Erebus families on each of the potential sites. An earlier vision for the memorial in Auckland. (Source: Ministry for Culture and Heritage) Leauanae said: 'We are grateful to Erebus families for their continued engagement. Sharing these potential sites is an important step, and we will carefully consider their feedback. ADVERTISEMENT 'We are committed to building this memorial – for the people who lost loved ones, for New Zealanders, and for those here and overseas impacted by the Erebus tragedy." Christchurch 'honoured' Christchurch Mayor Phil Mauger says the city is honoured to be considered as a possible location for the memorial. 'As a city, we have experienced tragedy and understand the deep impact the Erebus disaster continues to have on people across Aotearoa," Mauger said. 'Christchurch is long connected to Antarctica, we feel a deep sense of responsibility to honour the lives of your loved ones with great care and quiet dignity.' A 100-year commitment Ministry of Heritage and Culture deputy secretary of Māori Crown Partnerships Glenis Philip-Barbara last year told 1News: "I had anticipated this would be a challenging process, but I hadn't anticipated just how tricky some of these negotiations would be." ADVERTISEMENT Philip-Barbara said the memorial was asking for a 100-year commitment, which was "not an insignificant ask". At the time, while there were just two sites being considered, Takaparawhau in Auckland and Pukeahu War Memorial in Wellington, she had suggested the Ministry was looking for options in Christchurch too. A survey of family members late last year found Auckland was the preferred location for the memorial, with Christchurch the second most preferred. A minority supported a site in Wellington being chosen and, based on those results, the Ministry paused further exploration of building at the Pukeahu site. Family member Ross Negget has previously said: "I think Auckland would be appropriate, being point of departure and [intended] arrival of the flight." She said families had been assured the memorial would not be built in a place it was not "warmly welcomed". Asked about the continued delays, Philip-Barbara today said: "Manatū Taonga is working as quickly as possible to realise a National Erebus Memorial for Erebus families and New Zealanders. We continue to work closely with stakeholders to ensure appropriate processes are followed and a suitable site is selected."
