The Government is today expected to announce a shortlist of designs for the National Erebus Memorial. Next year marks 40 years since Air New Zealand flight 901 smashed into the lower slopes of Mt Erebus in Antarctica, killing all 257 passengers and crew. It remains one of the worst civil accidents in New Zealand’s history.

NZILA president Brad Coombs was on the memorial design judging panel, tasked with whittling down the 33 entries to six finalists. He says it was a rigorous process and he was impressed with the level of thought and detail which had gone in to some entries.

Those who make the shortlist will be invited to develop detailed concept designs before a winner is selected.

Auckland’s Dove-Myer Robinson Park / Taurarua Pā, commonly known as the Parnell Rose Gardens has been selected as the site for the memorial. Finalists will be given further site information and parameters to incorporate into their design, such as financial, environmental and resource management (town planning) requirements and construction time frames as well as a summary of feedback from stakeholders. Their work will then be technically assessed for compliance with the design parameters, and be submitted for public feedback as well as feedback from the bereaved families.