Forces of nature destroying plans for an Erebus memorial at an Auckland park could present a fresh opportunity according to whānau of some of the victims.
The Ministry of Heritage and Culture today revealed recent cyclone damage and slips at Auckland's Dove Meyer Robinson Park mean it is no longer safe to build the controversial 17-metre long Sky Song bridge there.
It's more than 43 years since the Air NZ scenic flight over Antarctica crashed into the side of Mount Erebus, killing all 257 people onboard. It remains New Zealand's largest peacetime loss of life.
Many of the families are desperate to have a national memorial but have faced significant delays because of some vocal opposition to the government's chosen location - Auckland's Mayor Wayne Brown included.
David Allan, whose parents and sister Jane died in the crash, is optimistic a new location could provide a clean slate, and a completed memorial, by the 45th anniversary at the end of 2024.
