Ministerial briefings, memos

These documents relate to decision that Dove-Myer Robinson Park is no longer a suitable or safe site for the National Erebus Memorial and were released in May 2023.

Designs

Six design teams were invited to submit concepts as part of the design competition for the National Erebus Memorial.  The winner Te Paerangi Ataata - Sky Song was selected by a expert panel, which included an which included an architect, a landscape architect, an artist and an urban planner, as well as two representatives from the Erebus families.    

Reports

These reports relate to work undertaken from 2019 to 2023 when the proposed site for the National Erebus Memorial was Dove-Myer Robinson Park.

National Erebus Memorial 2022 proactive release

These documents represent formal advice sent to Ministers that has been previously released under the Official Information Act. They do not include all papers where the Memorial is mentioned (for example, Status Reports to the Minister). Where papers have been withheld in full they have not been included. Redactions and withholding grounds were current as at the time of request and are consistent with the Official Information Act.

Historical costs

What is the difference between the Erebus Memorial at Dove-Myer Robinson Park project, and the National Erebus Memorial?

The information on this page specifically relates to work undertaken when the proposed site for the National Erebus Memorial was Dove-Myer Robinson Park. In April 2023, Manatū Taonga  made the decision that Dove-Myer Robinson Park is no longer a suitable or safe site for the National Erebus Memorial. All costing information relating to that site has been collated on this page. These costs are as at 30 June 2023.

Information about the current National Erebus Memorial, and work post 30 June 2023 can be found on the page below.

National Erebus memorial

How much did the National Erebus Memorial at Dove-Myer Robinson Park Project cost?

As at 30 June 2023, the total capital expenditure on the National Erebus Memorial at Dove-Myer Robinson Park Project was $817,826. Of this capital expenditure, $238,548 was spent on materials and related specialist advice which are planned to be used for the future construction of the Memorial. Other costs incurred since the inception of the project are $2,064,748, bringing the total expenditure on the project to $2,882,574 (all costs are GST exclusive).

A breakdown of the total spend by cost type is as follows:

Responses to Official Information Requests

These responses to OIA requests relate to the National Erebus Memorial Dove-Myer Robinson Park Project.

Frequently asked questions

Background

Where is the memorial being built?

Manatū Taonga is currently seeking a new site for the National Erebus Memorial. The preference is for the memorial to be built in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland. The memorial will be an enduring place where present and future generations can visit to grieve, reflect and celebrate those who lost their lives on 28 November 1979.

Taurarua Dove-Myer Robinson Park in Auckland was originally selected as the site for the memorial, however extreme weather events in January and February 2023 mean that the site is no longer suitable.

Why will the memorial be in Auckland?

The flight at the centre of the Erebus accident left from Auckland on the morning of 28 November 1979. Those onboard came from across New Zealand and around the world, but the majority of New Zealanders were from the wider Auckland region. Many of the victims’ families live in Auckland.

Auckland is also a gateway for international visitors, providing easier access for families of the international passengers on the flight, should they wish to visit.

How is Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei involved in the National Erebus Memorial?

Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei has been supportive in the planning stages of a National Erebus Memorial. The hapū has provided strong ongoing support for the families and is committed to seeing them have a space to reflect and remember their loved ones.

In November 2022, Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei invited Erebus families and members of Operation Overdue onto Ōrākei Marae in Auckland for a pōwhiri on the date of the 43rd anniversary of the disaster. At the pōwhiri, the names of all 257 passengers and crew who were lost on 28 November 1979 were read out. Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei has said this is an enduring invitation.

Design

What will happen to the design in the new site?

Te Pareangi Atata – Sky Song was designed specifically for Dove-Myer Robinson Park, but in selecting a new site we will reuse as many aspects and elements of the original design as possible.

What was the process for selecting the design Te Paerangi Ataata – Sky Song?

Manatū Taonga ran a national design competition to select the memorial concept, based on the site at Dove-Myer Robinson Park. The winning design, Te Paerangi Ataata – Sky Song was chosen from six shortlisted options by an expert panel which included an architect, a landscape architect, an artist and an urban planner, as well as two representatives from the Erebus families.

Prior to it being confirmed, the preferred design was shared with Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei and the Auckland Urban Design Panel, as well as the Waitematā Local Board who were satisfied that it met all the required criteria.

The winning design was announced in April 2019.

'National Erebus Memorial Design Selected' (Beehive)

Cost of the memorial

How much will the memorial cost?

The capital budget for the National Erebus Memorial project at a new site is $3.809 million.

In addition, $238,548 of materials and specialist advice obtained during the National Erebus Memorial at Dove-Myer Robinson Park Project, is available to be repurposed for the new site. This capital budget is expected to be used on the design and construction of the National Erebus Memorial. When a memorial site is selected, the budget will be reviewed.

How much money has the Ministry spent on the development of the National Erebus Memorial to date?

There are two main types of costs associated with this project: Capital Expenditure and Operating Costs. Capital expenditure are costs incurred against the capital budget, which is provided above. Operating costs, however, are costs incurred against the Ministry’s baseline budget, and do not impact the capital budget of the National Erebus Memorial Project.

Manatū Taonga has retained $238,548 of materials and related specialist advice. These costs were originally incurred for the proposed memorial at Dove-Myer Robinson Park. Manatū Taonga will repurpose these materials and advice in the construction of the memorial at a new site, and these costs are included in the overall capital budget.

There has been no further capital expenditure on the National Erebus Memorial since Manatū Taonga announced it was seeking a new site for the memorial in April 2023.

Other operating costs related to progressing site selection amount to $188,000 (2023/2024 Financial Year) and include internal resources, project management, and professional services (design, site identification and assessments).

You can find historical costs associated with the National Erebus Memorial at Dove-Myer Robinson Park Project (previous to 30 June 2023), in our Publications section.

Historical costs of National Erebus Memorial at Dove-Myer Robinson Park

Decision to seek a new site

What process was followed to select the Dove-Myer Robinson Park site for the National Erebus Memorial?

Manatū Taonga Ministry for Culture and Heritage began working with Auckland Council in mid-2018 to identify a site that would be appropriate for the National Erebus Memorial. Feedback from the Erebus families showed a clear preference for a peaceful, park-like setting.

Taurarua Dove-Myer Robinson Park in the Auckland suburb of Parnell was announced as the proposed site for the National Erebus Memorial in November 2018. Several sites were looked at before Dove-Myer Robinson Park was selected as the best fit as a central, accessible, park setting. Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei gave their support for the memorial to be built on the site.

In November 2018, Waitematā Local Board gave their support in principle as the landowner, subject to a series of criteria being met, and granted final landowner approval in November 2020.

Auckland site approved for National Erebus Memorial)

Local board gives approval for national Erebus Memorial in Dove-Myer Robinson Park

Resource consent for the National Erebus Memorial at Dove-Myer Robinson Park was granted by Auckland Council in March 2020. Archaeological Authority for the memorial was granted by Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga in September 2020.

Manatū Taonga also commissioned an Arboricultural Assessment by an independent and qualified arborist and reviewed by a range of similarly qualified arboricultural experts. All concluded that the memorial posed no risk to the notable pōhutukawa tree near the site.

Arboricultural assessment Peers Brown Miller Ltd (PDF, 2.2MB)

Why is the memorial no longer to be built at Dove-Myer Robinson Park?

The extreme and unprecedented storm events in the North Island in January and February 2023 led to several significant slips occurring along the cliff line at the memorial site in Dove-Myer Robinson Park.

In light of the damage, Manatū Taonga commissioned updated geotechnical advice to ensure the memorial design is appropriate both now, and in the future.

Based on the information provided in this report, the Ministry made the difficult decision that the Dove-Myer Robinson Park site is no longer suitable and that we will seek a new site for the National Erebus Memorial.

What will the process be to find a new site?

We are currently working through what the process will be to secure a new site for the National Erebus Memorial. We remain committed to all those with an interest in the Memorial, including Erebus families, the community, Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei and other project partners, to identify an appropriate new site.

When will updates be available on the selection of the new site?

Our priority is to keep Erebus families up to date, and we will be sharing information about the process with them first. We have committed to providing Erebus families and members of Operation Overdue with a monthly update. Any major updates will be communicated to the public once they have been confirmed.

What showed Dove-Myer Robinson Park was suitable in the first place?

ENGEO New Zealand prepared a geotechnical investigation report in October 2019. This report concluded the site was a suitable one to construct the memorial on at that time.

What was the impact of the Ombudsman’s report on the project?

Manatū Taonga’s decision to seek another site for the National Erebus Memorial is based solely on the updated geotechnical advice we commissioned and received in 2023.

The Ombudsman recommended that the Ministry engage with opponents of the memorial before construction began at Dove-Myer Robinson Park to attempt to resolve their sense of grievance. As confirmed by the Ombudsman, we took appropriate steps to implement that recommendation and the investigation was closed early in 2023, prior to the new geotechnical report about the status of Dove-Myer Robinson Park being provided to the Ministry.

I have a friend or a relative who died in the Erebus accident. How can I be involved?

Family members have been involved at various points throughout the design process for the National Erebus Memorial as have members of Operation Overdue. As the planning for the memorial progresses, Manatū Taonga Ministry for Culture and Heritage would like to hear from anyone with a connection to the Erebus accident. If you would like to be kept informed on the project, email: [email protected]