The Waitematā Local Board has given support to the construction of the National Erebus Memorial at Auckland’s Dove-Myer Robinson Park / Taurarua Pā, commonly known as the Parnell Rose Gardens.

The proposed site is on a lawn area overlooking Judges Bay.

Manatū Taonga Ministry for Culture and Heritage is responsible for creating the National Erebus Memorial, which will be completed in early 2020. The Ministry submitted a proposal to the Local Board which received support yesterday, following endorsement from local iwi Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei.

“We are pleased to gain approval for a site which meets criteria established from consultation with the families of the Erebus victims and which meets the requirements of a national memorial,” says Manatū Taonga Ministry for Culture and Heritage Acting Chief Executive Renee Graham.

“We look forward to working with the Local Board as we take the project forward.

“A design process is currently underway, with the Expressions of Interest submission period closing this week on 25 November. The next steps will be for the Expressions of Interest submissions to be assessed and shortlisted.”

Waitematā Local Board Chair Pippa Coom says, “The Waitematā Local Board is really honoured to host such a significant historically important memorial in one of our outstanding local parks.

“We are confident that a rigorous design process led by the Ministry, including a review by the Auckland Urban Design Panel, will ensure that the final design speaks to the heritage and cultural values of the site.”

Local Board support is subject to sign-off of the memorial design parameters and landowner approval once a preferred design has been selected. The Ministry for Culture and Heritage is providing funding to cover all costs relating to the installation and future maintenance of the structure and associated landscape features.