Over 12,000 signatures were delivered to Parliament by members of the @Protect Mataharehare, Matārāra Team.
An enormous THANK YOU to everyone who has come together to protect this sacred space, park and Te Hā, the Great Pōhutukawa.
The petition has now topped 13,000 (including the paper signatures). Let's keep it growing!
The Ministry for Culture and Heritage is pushing ahead with its plans - and we will continue to stand, and sit, and camp, to let the light in to protect this place and this tree for current and future generations.
Today is Day 91 of the "Peaceful Protect" at Dove Myer Robinson Park, Mataharehare, Auckland. Winter is here, the rains have come, and we are wrapped warm up and ready. Ihumatao took years: Mataharehare may too.
We will wait for the Ministry to take responsibility for the poor processes that have led to this very poor outcome, and for it to confirm a new location for the National Erebus Memorial, in line with the wishes of the people of New Zealand, and the Erebus families.
One site for consideration is Western Springs Precinct, adjacent the Museum of Transport and Technology in Auckland. The Museum welcomes it - and many families do too, because the full story of the Erebus disaster can be told, in perpetuity. Another option is the Antarctic Centre, Christchurch.
For those Erebus families who have close ties to Parnell, Dame Naida Glavish proposes that a Puriri tree be planted with a plaque beneath it. The Puriri tree cares for the departed. It is the appropriate tree for this purpose.
We call on the Prime Minister, and the Ministry for Culture and Heritage to listen, to protect Mataharehare and to confirm a new location for the National Erebus Memorial.
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DONATIONS ARE WELCOME! To contribute to the project costs directly please donate now at:
https://givealittle.co.nz/cause/mataharehare
For more information visit www.SOSNZ.org.nz
#RespectWhatExists @Protect Mataharehare