An advocate for the Erebus national memorial to be erected in Parnell has told locals to accept it is going ahead after one objector quoted David Attenborough and the need for more green space because of the COVID-19 pandemic in his speech opposing it.
More than 250 passengers and crew members were killed when an Air New Zealand flight crashed into Mt Erebus, Antarctica 41 years ago, in New Zealand's worst aviation disaster.
Since then the families of victims have been lobbying for a permanent memorial to be set up, with plans to add one in Parnell's Dove Myer Robinson Park green-lighted on Tuesday.
But the project has faced opposition from some locals who have criticised the placement, style and process that decided where the national monument would go, which has delayed it getting the go-ahead.
During a five-hour-long "very emotional" meeting on Tuesday, those for and against the memorial had their say, before the Waitematā Local Board voted on whether they would give consent.
Parnell resident Gerry Hetet, 32, made a speech against the memorial, arguing it would take away green space.
"We often do not have sufficient outdoor space, so heavily utilise our local parks and reserves for the simple things which many prior generations may take for granted," he told the board.
"If we learned anything from the current COVID pandemic, it is that we live in a time when we should only be adding to open green space and parks, and that any reduction, no matter how insignificant it is perceived by the ministry, should not even be considered.
"I quote David Attenborough - 'Young people - they care. They know that this is the world that they're going to grow up in, that they're going to spend the rest of their lives in. But, I think it's more idealistic than that. They actually believe that humanity, human species, has no right to destroy and despoil regardless.'"
Hetet said he doesn't want the bench seats proposed to encourage visitors to sit in the park because: "We have the soft grass for this".
He also told the board he objected as the proposed memorial doesn't blend in with the natural environment and the park already has a lot of memorials.
"This current proposal looks to the past, when we should be looking towards the future," he said.
"On denying landowner approval for this site, you are in no way denying the families of Erebus victims a fitting memorial, but simply protecting this small jewel as nature intended."
But Rev Dr Richard Waugh, an aviation historian and chaplain, and the spokesman for the group advocating for the Erebus National Memorial, said it will only take up a small portion of the park.
"With the memorial only taking up about 179sqm in the 55,000sqm park there is minimal space [less than one third of one percent] taken by the national memorial and with the consequential gain of a wonderful Sky Song walkway design and elevated view of the Waitematā Harbour."
After the meeting, the Waitematā Local Board voted 4 to 3 in favour of the memorial and gave landowner consent.
Rev Dr Waugh said it was a "disgrace" the memorial had taken so long, and he said those continuing to oppose it should move on now consent had been granted.
"I would ask the protesting group to accept the democratic decision of the Waitematā Local Board, and recognise all the required layers of consents and approvals have been given for the Erebus National Memorial. Parnell is one of New Zealand's most historic suburbs. Local residents now have the privilege of embracing the memorial and Erebus families on behalf of all New Zealand."
Hetet told Newshub on Wednesday he isn't opposed to a memorial, just the one in Dove Myer Robinson Park, which he uses regularly.
"It looks like they have just focused on this one location without investigating any other possibilities," he said.
However, Tamsin Evans, of the Manatū Taonga Ministry for Culture and Heritage, told Newshub Auckland City had been identified as the best location for the National Memorial because the flight departed from Auckland Airport and the majority of New Zealand passengers were from the city.
Evans, who is the deputy chief executive delivery, said 10 sites had been in consideration and, "after careful consideration", Dove-Myer Robinson Park was considered the best location.
She said the memorial, which will begin construction in the first half or 2021, will acknowledge the loss of the victim's families and friends and the effect it had on the nation.
"It will provide a place for people to remember and reflect, and will help ensure future generations of New Zealanders understand the tragedy and the lessons learned from it."
