It has been 42 years, but I remember that day like it was yesterday.  It is a great sadness to me, to my family, and to many other families who lost our loved ones.

In 2018, the Prime Minister announced that she would build a National Erebus Memorial.  It seems appropriate that there be one.  It is New Zealand’s worst aviation disaster.  But the gesture of good will turned sour when the wishes of the vast majority of Erebus families were ignored in favour of a handful. 

For the past many months, I have led this petition to protect Mataharehare, Dove Myer Robinson Park, in Auckland.  To protect the ancient pā site, the historic park, and the great pohutukawa from the proposed memorial structure.  It is wrong in this place.  And 18,000 New Zealanders agree.  I thank you for your support.

The Prime Minister is the Minister for Memorials.  She has ignored the majority of Erebus families, and has ignored the voices of 18,000 people.  
We continue to work to protect Mataharehare, Dove Myer Robinson Park, for future generations.  And to support the relocation of the memorial to where it is wanted.  

A dedicated home

The National Erebus Memorial deserves a dedicated home.  There is land available next to the aviation section of the Museum of Transport and Technology (MOTAT) at Western Springs, in Auckland.  The Museum has advised publicly it would welcome it.  The Museum can tell the full story of the Erebus disaster – for all Erebus families and for everyone – in perpetuity.  The existing memorial design that is wrong for Dove Myer Robinson Park can be located here.

The Western Springs site is the right place to remember New Zealand’s worst aviation disaster.  It is accessible 24/7 and will be safe to visit with the Museum's security systems and high visitor numbers.

Visit www.EMP.org.nz for more information.  

What you can do today to Protect Mataharehare 

If you are in Auckland, visit Dove Myer Robinson Park.  Our "peaceful protection" continues, and you can now see the scale of the proposed monument and why it is so wrong for this place.

Follow us on Instagram @ProtectMataharehare and visit us daily on Facebook.  Please share the posts with your friends. https://www.facebook.com/ProtectMataharehare

With many thanks.

Ngā mihi nui      Kind regards
Margaret Brough