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The Erebus disaster

The Erebus disaster remains Aotearoa New Zealand’s worst civil accident, and the reverberations of the crash are still felt today. Manatū Taonga is building a National Erebus Memorial to honour all 257 people on Flight TE901. 

Flight TE901 departed from Māngere airport, Auckland and intended to land in Christchurch on its way back to Auckland from Antarctica. The flight never returned. 

Erebus Connections

Memorials are not the only way people honour, remember, and reflect on those lost. Commemoration can be comprised of  involve many different things – whether that be sites, memorials, objects or artefacts, activities and records.

We’ve created a list on this page of connections to the Erebus disaster and the recovery efforts. They are ordered by location, from north to south. 
If you have a connection you’d like included on this page, email us: [email protected]. 

Disclaimer

Please note that this page includes descriptions of the Erebus crash and the recovery operation that may be distressing for some readers. 

North Island

Warkworth

  • On the Moirs Hill Walkway, a plaque donated by the Alpine Sports Club commemorates Beverley Price who was killed in the Erebus disaster.  The loop track she originated is named in her honour. 

Whangaparāoa

Auckland

  • On 6 December 1979 the first recovery flight from the crash site arrived at the Royal New Zealand Air Force's Auckland base at Whenuapai. From here remains were taken to the mortuary at Auckland University. 
  • Auckland Airport Crew Memorial and Gardens is dedicated to crew who died in the disaster. The garden opened in early 2001 and includes the 20 names of each crew member. A native shrub was planted for each victim.
  • Waikumete Cemetery. On the first anniversary of the disaster (28 November 1980) a memorial to the 44 people not identified or recovered was unveiled at Waikumete Cemetery. There are also individual plots for 10 passengers and crew, and three people who were cremated at Waikumete and either scattered there or their ash location unknown.  A cherry tree dedicated to the Japanese passengers on TE901, was planted by the Japanese Bereaved Family Erebus Society. A garden of remembrance was created around the memorial on the 15th anniversary.
  • Purewa Cemetery. Four crew members and 10 passengers on Flight TE901 were buried at Purewa Cemetery, and 79 remains were cremated at the Cemetery. See Erebus Roll of Remembrance (Purewa Cemetery)  
  • Air New Zealand Momentum sculpture, which marks significant events in the airline’s history, including the Erebus disaster and 2008 Perpignan crash, was unveiled in October 2009.
  • Memorial plaque and windows in St Matthews’ in the City Church dedicated to those who died in the disaster. The church also held a large commemorative service in the immediate aftermath of the crash, on 4 December 1979.
  • A piece of the Oakley Creek Walkway in Avondale was named after Beverley Joy Price, a member of the Alpine Sports Club who was killed in the disaster. 

Kihikihi (South of Te Awamutu)

  • An Erebus memorial plaque fixed to a tree, dedicated to Cecil and Jack Emmett (two passengers on Flight TE901) was presented by the Women’s Division of Federated Farmers. 

Wellington / Lower Hutt

  • A memorial bench was unveiled at the Lower Hutt Rose Garden shortly after the 30th anniversary.

South Island

Kaiapoi

  • Memorial stained-glass window in Kaiapoi Cooperating Parish Church. The window was commissioned by the Evans and Blackwell families and dedicated to the memory of those who died in the accident at a service on 7 March 1982 .

Christchurch

  • In November 2025 Cracroft Reserve in Cashmere, Christchurch was selected as the site for a National Erebus Memorial.  If it was a clear day on 28 November 1979, Flight TE901 would have been visible from the memorial site on its journey south.   
  • The first party of recovery and identification operations (known as Operation Overdue) left Christchurch for Antarctica the day after the crash. There is a strong connection between Operation Overdue and the city of Christchurch.
  • Hercules NZ7001 was one of the aircraft used to return recovered remains from Antarctica to Aotearoa as part of Operation Overdue. The P3-B Orion aircraft also assisted in the early hours of the recovery. These aircraft can be seen at the Air Force Museum of New Zealand in Wigram.
  • Christchurch is New Zealand’s gateway to the southern continent, Antarctica. It is a hub for Antarctic research, scientific and logistical programmes. The city is also home to Antarctica New Zealand, the Antarctic Heritage Trust and the International Antarctic Centre. There are multiple sculptures and historical sites related to Antarctic figures, such as Robert Falcon Scott and Roald Amundsen.

Antarctica

  • Memorial cross on Mt Erebus. Originally a timber cross made at Scott Base, it was in place by 2 December 1979. It has now been replaced by a stainless-steel cross, put in place on 30 January 1987.  Making the Erebus memorial cross (NZ History)
  • Koru capsule on Mt Erebus. A koru-shaped capsule located beside the memorial cross, containing messages from Erebus families (relatives of those on Flight TE901) collected for the 30th anniversary. 
  • The crash site was declared a tomb by the signatories to the Antarctic Treaty in 1981. In 1997 it was designated an Antarctic Specially Protected Area for an indefinite period.
  • Scott Base is New Zealand's permanent Antarctic research station. It opened on 20 January 1957. Many people stationed at Scott Base and the nearby McMurdo Station (the United States' research base in Antarctica) would provide invaluable assistance to the investigation and recovery parties. A memorial service for Erebus victims was held here on 2 December 1979, just four days after the crash. 
  • Te Puna Roimata Peak. Located on the lower northeast slope of Mount Erebus, Te Puna Roimata Peak (meaning spring of tears) was named by the New Zealand Geographic Board in 2000. The name commemorates the 1979 Erebus disaster.

Location map

This map shows the locations of the places listed on this page, including those in Antarctica. Open in full screen for the best experience.