More Families Step Forward Over Auckland Council’s 1800 Disrespected Ashes

Fifteen families have now found the ashes of their ancestors on the list of 1800 kiwis whose remains were moved twice, without family consent, by Auckland City Council in the late 60’s and 70’s.

With the remains relocated into four nameless mass concrete vaults at Waikumete Cemetery, the families are united in their call for dignity and respect to be restored to their ancestors, and for an apology from Council, for originally assuming whānau could not be contacted and acting unauthorised.

“We are thankful for the media attention ‘Honour the 1800’ has received so far,” says campaign organiser, Terry Fergusson.

“Through this we have been able to provide a missing link for fifteen families. If we can do this with no ad-vertising budget or staff, surely Council would have had even greater success, had they just picked up the phone decades earlier.”

Stating that newspaper articles uncovered from the time on the Honour the 1800 Facebook page, show that council was originally going to scatter the ashes in question without permission, Mr Fergusson is stunned no apology is yet to arise.

“The errors in this human decency vs bureaucracy tragedy, on behalf of Council are never-ending. No real answers are forward coming and I frankly wonder if council themselves know what happened.”

With Auckland Council now not wishing to disturb the ashes in response to the growing call for respect, Mr Fergusson wishes that thought had occurred to the elected body decades earlier.

“All of us who bury loved ones find solace in that we’ve created an eternal spot of remembrance for future generations to visit. Surely when what was originally purchased was changed, families should have been contacted to see if the new ‘final resting place’ sufficed.

“Instead our families have to suffer for Council’s misplaced (lack of) judgment.”

“Lynn Grewar said it best on our Facebook page, “My Grandmother is on the list of those that were moved. If I had known that the council was doing this, I would have come and taken her home to be with her family” - I think all kiwis will agree that all families involved are still owed that choice.”

Those wishing to see if their ancestors count among the 1800, can find the lists of names at www.facebook.com/Honour-the-1800-1677207482539723

ENDS

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