Potential Christchurch sites for National Erebus Memorial shared with families

Potential sites in Christchurch for the National Erebus Memorial have been shared with Erebus families this week.

Christchurch Mayor Phil Mauger formally invited Manatū Taonga Ministry for Culture and Heritage to consider Christchurch as a location for the national memorial in December 2024.

The memorial will honour the 257 people who lost their lives in 1979, when Flight TE901 crashed into the slopes of Mt Erebus in Antarctica.

The potential sites in Christchurch are:

The Ōtākaro Avon Riverbank, either side of the river, near the Robert Scott memorial
Cracroft Reserve, near the Sign of the Takahe
The St James’ Church grounds in Harewood is also a potential site, which will need further investigation and engagement with key stakeholders.

No decisions have been made about locating the memorial in Christchurch, or which of the potential sites may be selected. 

The Ministry is currently seeking feedback from Erebus families on each of the potential sites.

The feedback will be shared with the Christchurch City Council and will help shape a report that councillors are expected to consider later this year. 

Mayor Mauger says Christchurch is a city that has experienced tragedy and understands the deep impact the Erebus disaster continues to have on people across Aotearoa.

“Christchurch is long connected to Antarctica, we feel a deep sense of responsibility to honour the lives of your loved ones with great care and quiet dignity.”

Secretary for Culture and Heritage, Leauanae Laulu Mac Leauanae says the Ministry is working closely with Erebus families, mana whenua and stakeholders to find a site for the National Erebus Memorial.

The feedback from the Erebus families regarding the potential sites in Christchurch will be carefully considered, he says. 

“We are committed to building this memorial – for the people who lost loved ones, for New Zealanders, and for those here and overseas impacted by the Erebus tragedy,” says Leauanae. 

Photo: Daniel O’Sullivan © Antarctica New Zealand Pictorial Collection, 2020.