Work is underway on a National Erebus Memorial in Ōtautahi Christchurch’s Cracroft Reserve after the site was blessed last week.
Manatū Taonga Ministry for Culture and Heritage and Christchurch City Council are working to build a memorial at the reserve to mark New Zealand’s worst tragedy outside of wartime.
“This memorial is about honouring the 257 lives lost in the Erebus disaster, one of the most significant tragedies our nation has ever faced,” said Christchurch Mayor, Phil Mauger.
“Ōtautahi Christchurch has a strong historic and symbolic connection to Antarctic exploration and to Flight TE901. The city is New Zealand’s gateway to Antarctica, and has a deep understanding of grief, remembrance, and manaakitanga – positioning it well to host a national memorial of this significance.
“As we broke ground on the site, we weren’t just marking the beginning of construction – it is also the fulfilment of a promise to remember, honour, and create a lasting tribute.
“This memorial will tell the story for those who come after us, support those who continue to grieve, and serve as a permanent site to honour all those we lost at Erebus.”
An adapted concept design for the memorial at Cracroft Reserve was shared in March and all approvals are now in place, the Council confirmed.
The site of the memorial is set back from the reserve’s existing lookout, offering a view south towards the Port Hills and general direction of Mount Erebus and of the sea and horizon.
The memorial includes a series of sculptural ice shards with the names of all those lost in the disaster inscribed, a walkway with a view to the horizon and an adjoining ice wall containing 257 unique snowflake shapes and whakatauki.
