4 July 2025
DOIA25/047
Debbie Van Tiel
[FYI request #31231 email]
Tēnā koe Debbie
I refer to your request received on 6 June 2025, which has been considered under
the Official Information Act 1982 (OIA) regarding the National Erebus Memorial
Project. Given the large volume of information available publicly, we attempted to
contact you on 6, 11 and 19 June 2025 to clarify what material you were interested
in. We have received no reply to this correspondence.
For context, you may be aware that in April 2023, it was decided the original location
for the memorial, Dove-Myer Robinson Park site, was no longer suitable after
receiving updated geotechnical advice. Currently, the Ministry is working to secure a
new permanent home for the memorial. Historical information pertaining to the Dove-
Myer Robinson Park site is publicly available here:
https://www.mch.govt.nz/publications/national-erebus-memorial-dove-myer-robinson-
park-project#historical-costs. Based on this, and as we did not receive responses to our attempted clarification, we
have interpreted your request to relate to expenditure and information since the
decision not to build at Dove-Myer Robinson Park. Please find answers to your
request below.
1. A breakdown of the total budget allocated for the project.
2. All expenditure to date (including planning, consultation, construction,
communications, and project management).
In response to question one and two, the project was restarted to construct a
memorial at a new site. This site is currently being sought. The construction budget
for the National Erebus Memorial at a new site is $3.809 million. To date, there has
been no expenditure against this budget.
The Ministry also incurs operating costs in relation to this project. Operating costs
include salary costs, some concept design and project management costs, travel
and other costs. This expenditure is incurred against the Ministry's baseline. From 1
July 2023 to 25 June 2025, the Ministry has spent $353,969 on operating expenses
3. Copies of any contracts awarded in relation to the project, including the
names of recipients and contract values
Below is a list of the contractors that have worked or are working on the memorial at
a new site, a description of their work and the costs incurred to 25 June 2025. For
clarity, the expenditure noted in the below table is included as part of the operating
costs referred to in question two.
Supplier
Description of Services
Expenditure from 1 July
Provided
2023 to 25 June 2025
(GST exclusive)
Studio Pacific Architecture Ltd
Design Services
$22,805
The Building Intelligence Group Project Management and Site
$51,378
Selection Advice
Barker and Associates Ltd
Services to support the
$21,175
process for site selection
Jennic Enterprises Ltd
Project Management
$51,030
Services
Lincoln University
Memorial Consultancy
$1,330
Services
TOTAL
$147,718
We have decided to withhold the copies of the contract under section 9(2)(b)(ii) of
the OIA, as release of the information would be likely unreasonably to prejudice the
commercial position of the person who supplied or who is the subject of the
information. We consider the information provided above a summary of the
requested information, in line with section 16(2) of the OIA.
4. Any cost overruns or projected increases to the original budget, with
explanations.
The Ministry plans to construct the memorial within the $3.809 million construction
budget and does not intend to seek further funding for this project.
5. Details of any external funding, donations, or sponsorships (if applicable).
None.
In making my decision, I have considered the public interest considerations in
section 9(1) of the OIA. I do not consider that these considerations outweigh the
need to withhold the information.
If you wish to discuss this decision with us, please feel free to contact
[Ministry for Culture and Heritage request email]. You have the right to seek an investigation and review by the Ombudsman of this
decision. Information about how to make a complaint is available via
www.ombudsman.parliament.nz or freephone 0800 802 602.
Nāku noa, nā
Blaire Lodge-Perry
Pou Mataaho o Te Hua - Deputy Secretary, Delivery & Investment (acting)
2
Document Outline
