Protect this place
Ancient Pā site
Historic Park
NZ’s greatest urban Pōhutukawa
“Join us to respect what exists”
Join us to protect this ancient Pā site, historic park and New Zealand’s greatest urban Pōhutukawa.
Mataharehare-Taurarua is a tāonga of Tāmaki Makaurau.
The remnants of this ancient headland forms the eastern arm of the Auckland CBD, and reaches around Hobson Bay.
Within Mataharehare-Taurarua is ‘Dove Myer Robinson Park’ named after a Mayor of Auckland.
This place and its great trees, including the greatest and oldest urban Pōhutukawa in New Zealand, is now under immediate threat.
A Rāhui (protection) is in place to protect the whenua, laid by Kaumatua from Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei and Ngā Uri o Tuperiri.
More than 24,000 New Zealanders from across Auckland, New Zealand and internationally have signed the petition to support the protection and halt the industrial-scale development.
On 19 October 2021 the Ministry for Culture and Heritage sent in private security guards during Level 3 Lockdown in Auckland to break the Rāhui.
Again on 23 November the Ministry for Culture and Heritage sent in guards and Auckland Council workers to breach the Rāhui. Again, during Level 3 Lockdown.
The Ministry’s attempts to break the Rāhui have twice failed, because peaceful protectors came from across the city to protect the park. 24/7 community protection continues and the peaceful protection observes Level 3 lockdown rules.
The Ministry for Culture and Heritage advises that it will proceed despite an investigation into its processes by the Ombudsman, and despite a request from the landowner, the Waitematā Local Board, to respect the Rāhui.
The Ombudsman is investigating the Ministry for Culture and Heritage, and Auckland Council, processes.
Come to Mataharehare today: this ancient Pā site, historic park and Te Hā the great Pōhutukawa today. Join us to save it.
Peaceful protectors of the park - maintaining Covid Level 3 rules including social distancing - will greet you at the gates. 200+ days protecting the park and counting.
Whakahaumarutia
“Whaka-hau-maru-tia” refers to a “settling of the winds”, a “healing breath”. This is the theme of the peaceful protect (not protest) taking place at Dove Myer Robinson Park. You are welcome.
Mataharehare-Taurarua was a sanctuary that received waka from the length of Te Ika-a-Māui (the North Island) and beyond.
In 1914 the people of Auckland purchased the land to create an open space for future generations to enjoy.
In the 1918 Flu Pandemic Aucklanders convalesced here.
This park provides a much needed escape from the concrete jungle for highly urbanised living.
The proposed development of Mataharehare
The proposed 26+ metre long, 8 metre high, double walled concrete and steel structure requires 534m2 of earthworks and digs into the roots of New Zealand’s greatest urban Põhutukawa tree and would demand annual cutting back for as long as it lives.
132 tonnes of concrete are planned for the construction of the memorial on this fragile cliff edge that excludes provision for footings to the bedrock at the base of the cliff. The consented design has also failed to consider the grave risk from water run-off from the monument on this ancient and fragile whenua. The design is not fit for purpose.
This industrial-scale development puts at grave risk the life of the 180 (+/-) year-old tree, and associated eco-life. This Pōhutukawa is as old as Te Tiriti o Waitangi (The Treaty of Waitangi).
Arborists advise there is a high risk to the life of this Ancestor Tree. Other notable trees may also be felled.
Te Hā, the great Pōhutukawa in 2020 and in 2080… if we can stop the construction. Pōhutukawa can live for 800+ years.
The proposed development would forever take away a rare, precious, natural remnant of the timeless past and a continued source of wellbeing.
It is time to reflect. To respect what exists.
Please sign the petition today and visit us on Facebook and Instagram @ProtectMataharehare
The great 180 (+ / -) year old Pohutukawa tree that was saved by two local women in 1920 is again at risk.
A consented drawing for the 26 + metres long, 8m high, double-walled concrete and steel structure that is planned by the Ministry for Culture and Heritage for this ancient Pā site, historic park, and to cut deep into the roots of New Zealand’s greatest and oldest urban Pōhutukawa.
No cultural historic heritage report has been commissioned and Heritage New Zealand / Pouhere Taonga has been cut out by the non-notified consent process.
From the Families of Erebus
“I walk past the site every single day. I know it well.
It makes no logical sense to have an Erebus memorial there.
It overpowers the other, quite frankly more important war memorials and it risks the future of the most incredible Pohutukawa tree. It does not deliver what we asked for.
The vast majority of us have moved on after 42 years.
There are a small handful of very local and well-connected Erebus families who want the memorial at Dove Myer Robinson Park, however I believe the vast majority would be happy for it to be located elsewhere or are ambivalent as to where it is located. Some do not want one at all…
The answer is simple - find another site!”
- Simon Stokes, lost his father Alan Stokes
“As a family, we were not asked for our input when the memorial was being considered, and apart from the fact that so many years have passed, we are not in favour of the proposed site in Dove Myer Robinson Park in Parnell.
The Ministry’s selection of the site is inappropriate because it has no particular connection with the accident.”
- Gaynor Gallagher, lost her parents
“I believe the site is most inappropriate. It will destroy a treasured haven.”
- Trevor Mitchell, lost his son Mark Mitchell
“My father was killed in the crash. I’ve been to Air New Zealand and government public meetings, I think the public memorial should be rethought.
It’s not a World War 1 or 2 memorial that people gave their lives for our whole country.”
- Lance O’Conner, lost his father and uncle
“My observation is that the majority of Erebus families are against this location. The selection is not in alignment with our wishes.
Back in 2018 when the Prime Minister first told us, we were not supportive and made it well known!
The whole approach is simply wrong. It faces the wrong way, is a busy picnic park across from the noisy ports, and not a space of solemnity necessary for a National Memorial of this nature.”
- Margaret Brough, lost her father
“I had relatives die in the crash and they were good people and would not want a memory of the crash and their death to cause more harm.
Please reconsider, Please do the right thing, Please find a better place.”
- Matthew Brajkovich
“The Western Springs location is a much better choice in so many ways. Location, accessibility, etc. ”
- Sarah Mansfield
The structure completely dominates Mataharehare.
The structure spans 17 meters across, with the highest point of the cantilevered design reaching 8 meters above the ground below.
The intended structure disconnects from the peace and tranquility of Mataharehare. It creates an 8 metre drop.
What Erebus Families Wanted*
What is Proposed
South facing, toward Antarctica
60% did not want picnicking, BBQ’s or games nearby
Quiet place of reflection
Secluded, non-urban location
Connected to Erebus
No Link To Air New Zealand
Educational
* Source: Colmar Brunton Survey of Erebus Families
North facing, turning its back on the victims and flight path
Popular spot for community events, dog-walking and recreation
Not quiet, adjacent the port, heliport, trains & Tāmaki Drive
Central, adjacent urbanised Central Auckland City
No connection to Erebus
Close to Teal Park, the beginnings of Air New Zealand
Limited opportunity for education
Finding a home for the National Erebus Memorial
We respectfully support the guidance of the descendants of Erebus toward the completion of the National Erebus Memorial.
Join Us
to respect what exists, and find a home for the
National Erebus Memorial
We are working to stop the destruction of this place and its great trees, to protect this ancient Tāonga in perpetuity for all.
Matāra refers to “the watchman’s song”. This is the name of this kaupapa and we invite you to sing with us.
Please sign up to our mailing list to keep up to date with the progress of our campaign. We’ll keep you in the loop with ways you can help.