Tauranga City Council is calling on families of removed memorials from Mauao to get in touch with them on the possibility of planting trees in memory of their loved ones.
This comes after people have taken to social media reporting the memorial removals.
One Tauranga resident told SunLive they are 'shocked and appalled” after hearing the news.
'I am very upset that the Tauranga City Council has randomly decided to remove memorial benches from around the mount. It is a move that shows no common sense or empathy as to how this will affect the families of the memorialised.”
Tauranga City Council spaces and places manager Sarah Pearce says the memorial removal is part of the collaborative ‘Mauao Placemaking' project with with Ngā Poutiriao ō Mauao (the Mauao Joint Administration Board).
She says the project sets out to share the rich history and stories of Mauao through new wayfinding signage and cultural touchpoints across the maunga.
'As part of this project, existing seating will be replaced over the coming months. All memorial plaques that need to be removed will be stored safely until they can be collected by the families.
'We would like to work with the families to discuss the possibility of planting trees in memory of their loved ones.”
We encourage anyone with a memorial seat on Mauao that we haven't been able to make contact with to reach out to our Mauao Ranger, Josh Clark on 07 577 7000.
15 comments
Tyranny
Posted on 03-11-2022 07:18 | By Hugh Janis
beware this smiling, kind form of tyranny. They have it down to an art and we stand to lose a lot because of it
Anything in the name of 'culture'!
Posted on 03-11-2022 07:59 | By jed
Atrocious behaviour by the council and the Maori 'guardians'. However, this is the new world order, Mahuta's Tolley, co-governance, etc.
What a disgusting thing to do!!!!
Posted on 03-11-2022 08:16 | By Bruja
As one example, I know a VERY elderly woman who has placed one of these benches in memory of her son who died (quite young) from cancer. He loved the beach and the bench is where he used to love to sit. She now sits on the bench and 'talks to him'. This is NOT ok!! This is just crapping on those who have passed! Reinstate these benches. It's hideous! :(
seats
Posted on 03-11-2022 08:20 | By dumbkof2
so now we have no seats that we can sit on and enjoy the view or rest awhile. what about elderly and handicapped people no brains at all
To take the easier pathway
Posted on 03-11-2022 08:38 | By PJ-Bethlehem
Another shining example of "It's Easier to Ask Forgiveness Than It Is To Get Permission". Ahhhh TCC, we see exactly how you operate.
Things must change
Posted on 03-11-2022 09:13 | By Tga Lad
These so called commissioners, or should I say de-commissioners, have got to be removed from TCC. And Labour removed from Government before they destroy OUR city & OUR country. Honestly, who can tell what good these de-commissioners have done for our city. Increased congestion, near closed down our CBD. Time for us ratepayers to have a voice again & not be dictated to by some over paid, office bound idiots with tunnel vision. Just saying!!
No seat for a rest and reflection allowed, BUT you can donate tree?
Posted on 03-11-2022 10:14 | By Murray.Guy
Rarely more disappointed in the actions, the insensitivity, of an iwi elite grouping. Council and Iwi Mauao trustees, it seems have removed, or in the process of, the tributes to past loved ones on Mauao with little or NO effort to discuss the same with family. It needs to be noted that these tributes were in place PRIOR to Mauao being gifted to local Iwi, conditional on public access in perpetuity. It seems conditions should have included these treasured memorials remaining. Will Monica Cantwell's memorial be removed? Will the shipwreck and lives lost 1950 memorial be removed? Beggars belief!
Also........
Posted on 03-11-2022 10:26 | By Bruja
People can't sit on trees. They can sit on benches. It's fabulous when walking around, to be able to 'rest' on one of the benches, read the inscription, look out to sea. Just beautiful and respectful of those who have died. Respect needs to happen for all not just some.
Benches vs trees
Posted on 03-11-2022 12:55 | By CliftonGuy
Benches are there for people to rest and enjoy the view from that spot. Whilst I am not against trees, and the more planted, the better, the only way you can use a tree to rest is to sit down on its stump.
Whose actions?
Posted on 03-11-2022 13:23 | By Gigilo
Cancel culture by stealth, the wheel will turn, the truth will be known of who actually made the call.
Absolutely Appalling
Posted on 03-11-2022 13:31 | By Mommatum
This excuse about “history, stories and new ‘way finding’ doesn’t fly with me and I’m Maori. One of the first pillars of tikanga is honouring those who have passes. To my mind that includes these memorial benches which to my mind should be left alone. Not to mention who gave Mahuta’s Mob (commissioners) the mandate to sign off on this. It hasn’t been voted on and that also goes for our so called Council. There has been no community input into this appalling move,
Sad but understandable
Posted on 03-11-2022 15:59 | By Jason Ake
The execution of the policy is the issue here rather than the rhetoric being directed at the legal Iwi landowners of Mauao. Unlike some comments in here Mauao was NOT gifted to Iwi - it was returned to the owners after it was stolen.
I was told by Josh Clark today
Posted on 03-11-2022 17:01 | By Bruja
That the seats were being removed but would be replaced with 'other seats'. I then said to him, will the memorial plaques be reinstated on the 'new' benches. He said no they wouldn't. When I asked why not, he said that by having memorial plaques on benches implies ownership of Mauao by people other than the rightful owners. How utterly disgracefully ludicrous!
Very pleased to see...
Posted on 03-11-2022 18:54 | By morepork
... the general outcry in posts, about this outrageous and completely insensitive action, without any communication or transparency, all in the name of "Culture". It's not MY culture and I doubt that ANY culture would be OK with disrespect for the dead. This short-sighted and misguided action demeans all of us, whatever your ethnicity. If historical information cannot co-exist with existing memorials from real families, then historical information loses. I'm in favour of having historical notes around the Mount, but not at the expense of real history, where there are living people who will be deeply hurt by this. Besides, at my time of life, I NEED a bench to sit on when I take a walk around Mauo...
No Sitting Permitted
Posted on 04-11-2022 08:05 | By Thats Nice
What exactly does this mean? "stories of Mauao through new wayfinding signage and cultural touchpoints across the maunga". For goodness sakes, leave the seats alone and go for it, plant a few trees. End of.
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