A plaque which marks a dark episode in Mount Maunganui's history may be removed.

Monica Cantwell was one week into a trip to New Zealand when, whilst walking the northern summit track on Mauao on November 20, 1989, she was raped and strangled.

Her body was found three days later after friends reported her missing.

Monica's memorial plaque, which sits at the top of Mount Maunganui, was dedicated to her by the now defunct Altrusa Club and the Tauranga City Council.

SunLive understands there are now discussions taking place between Ngā Poutiriao ō Mauao (the Mauao joint administration board), and Tauranga City Council on whether to remove it.

This follows reports of other memorials being removed as part of the collaborative Mauao placemaking project between Tauranga City Council and Ngā Poutiriao ō Mauao.

A close-up shot of the Monica Cantwell plaque. Photo: John Borren.

Ngā Poutiriao ō Mauao chairman Dean Flavell did not directly name the Monica Cantwell memorial, but says the 'white ribbon day commemoration” plaque is currently being discussed by Mauao Trust.

A Tauranga City Council spokesperson later confirmed this comment is in reference to the Monica Cantwell memorial.

The Monica Cantwell plaque is used as a place to gather every November 25 for a white ribbon day service.

White Ribbon Day is the international day when people wear a white ribbon to show they do not condone violence towards women.

Tauranga identity Buddy Mikaere organises a yearly white ribbon service to remember Monica, and last year raised $10,000 for Women's Refuge post-gathering with a white ribbon day dinner, according to Buddy.

Buddy, who is a trustee at the Mauao Trust, believes the plaque should stay, as it is a place to remember someone who should have been safe as a visitor to New Zealand.

Mauao Historic Reserve is private land owned by the Mauao Trust, that is available and enjoyed by all as a public space.

Ngā Poutiriao o Mauao, the joint management board for Mauao, is made up of representatives of the Mauao Trust and Tauranga City Council.

Buddy Mikaere believes the Monica Cantwell memorial should stay. Photo: Rosalie Liddle Crawford.

'I'm a bit disappointed [at the discussion],” says Buddy.

'This is a visitor to our country that should have been safe in our country, particularly at the top of our sacred maunga, but she wasn't.

'It's an important reminder to everyone who walks past the memorial. It's slightly different to the other memorial seats we have on Mauao at the moment.”

'I'm a trustee at the Mauao Trust. I represent Ngāti Pūkenga, the owner trustees, and our position is we would like to see it [the Monica plaque] stay.

'As a manuhiri (guest) to our country, Monica should have been kept safe. But she wasn't.”

Buddy says from his understanding, the memorial plaques on Mount Maunganui were put up for a limited time when purchased.

However, he does not believe there was a time limit on the memorial for Monica Cantwell.

'To me it falls into a different category. We've also got the main memorial on top, are they going to take that away as well? I'm not sure.”

Buddy says ahead of the discussion, he cannot say whether the general sentiment of the Mauao Trust is in favour of keeping the memorial or getting rid of it.

'We have to have the discussion first, but my line of thought going into it [the discussion] is I would like it to be kept.”

Tauranga City Council spaces and places manager Sarah Pearce says the physical removal of the memorial seats and associated plaques are part of the Mauao Placemaking project, designed to "share the rich history and stories of Mauao".

The project is designed to share the rich history and stories of Mauao, according to Tauranga City Council. Photo: John Borren.

"Since the installation of the memorial plaques some time ago, Mauao has been returned to the Iwi of Tauranga Moana and within this, the way the maunga was and is to be managed was reassessed to align with the aspirations and cultural sensitives of the Mauao Trust.

"In 2018 the Mauao Historic Reserve Management Plan was created and the placemaking project was formed with physical works starting in 2022. Prior to the implementation of the plan, the agreement for memorial seats was that they would be maintained and stay on the maunga for 10 years with no right of renewal – many of the seats have remained on site for more than 20 years.

"Since the initial seat was removed we have been working hard to get contact details for those who have memorials on the remaining seats and we are pleased to be in contact with a number of families to discuss alternative, long-term memorial opportunities. As the large majority of these seats were installed over 20 years ago it is challenging to locate contact details that are accurate.

"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.

The new seats, with back support. Photo: Supplied/Tauranga City Council.

"As part of the Mauao Placemaking project, there will be a mix of new seating installed throughout the walking tracks on Mauao in the coming weeks. Six of the long ‘Waka' seats have been installed initially with two at the summit and four along the base track."