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The Heart of Our Request:

We are calling on the Auckland Council to reconsider their decision and approve the installation of a modest memorial plaque or bench at the beach where Tyler was found.

Tyler’s life was tragically cut short in a heartbreaking accident after he slipped and drowned on a walk home. While his loss is heartbreaking for our family, the 11 days he was missing transformed not just our lives but our communities. This site has already become a natural place of reflection, we are simply asking for the Council to recognize what the community has already decided is a location of deep significance.

Why This Site Matters:
The Council has stated that commemorative objects are typically reserved for "historically or culturally significant" events. We believe this tragedy meets that criteria.

A Landmark of Community Resilience: During the 11-day search, hundreds of strangers became neighbors. This event defined our local identity through shared meals, financial sacrifice and tireless search efforts.

A Space for the Public: To this day, residents visit this tree to sit, reflect and pay their respects. It has become a communal space for quiet contemplation and healing.

A Vital Safety Reminder: A modest memorial serves as a quiet, respectful reminder of the importance of site safety and the preciousness of life in our shared public spaces.

Our Proposal

We are not asking for an elaborate monument. We are asking for a simple, low maintenance bench or a small plaque that honors:

• Tyler’s memory, a young life lost too soon
• The extraordinary compassion shown by the community.
• The healing process for those still deeply affected by this tragedy.

Call to Action;
By signing this petition, you are telling the Auckland Council that "significance" is not just found in history books, it is found in the way a community stands together in its darkest hours.

This is something we have offered the council to fund as a family.

Please join us in asking the Council to lead with empathy and grant this modest request for a permanent place of reflection.