Welcome to the Memorial Garden web page.
The memorial garden on Kōtare Reserve was officially opened on Sunday, 11 October 2020 at 9.00 am
The plaque walls and the historical wall are constructed of rough-sawn timber posts and Corten steel with stainless steel plaques attached.
The Tree of Life sculptural stonewall was completed in the garden by stonemason Mark Urlich in May 2020, following the 5-week lockdown of the country due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
The garden is an historical timeline of the life of the Hahei community. Story boards of the history of Ngāti Hei and the Wigmore and Harsant families are displayed in the Garden. Around the garden are memorial walls with plaques in memory of those who have died. Anyone can place a plaque for someone who has been a part of the life of Hahei by having been a resident, a holiday homeowner or someone who has had a connection with Hahei. As well as being a place for remembering and quiet contemplation, the memorial garden is also the venue for the annual Hahei Anzac Ceremony on April 25th.
ANZAC Ceremonies have been held at the memorial garden since 2021, and after the 2024 service, the Hahei Residents and Ratepayers’ Association (HRRA) approached the Memorial Garden trustees about erecting a permanent flagpole in the garden. The HRRA offered to pay half the costs and help with fundraising for the flagpole and a permanent memorial to those in the area who served in the two world wars. Generous donations were received from members of the community and the memorial and flagpole, designed by architect, Peter Rowbotham, were installed just before the fifth Anzac Ceremony in the garden, in 2025.
Stonemason Mark Urlich created the plinth for the memorial plaque of the 22 locals who served in World War I and the 18 who served in World War II.
Started by the Trustees of the Memorial Garden, the garden is now organised and run by the Hahei Residents and Ratepayers Association.
You can scroll though the images above by clicking on the left or right arrows
The Concept Of Our Memorial Garden
For many years the Council’s Reserves Management Plan for Hahei has had a designation for a Memorial Garden in Kotare Reserve.
The Memorial Garden has received support from the Thames Coromandel District Council and local Iwi and the land was blessed by Joe Davis, Kaumatua of Ngati Hei on 4 November 2017.
People who live in, or have an affiliation with Hahei, have been involved in the concept plans, plaque design and manufacture, artists’ illustrations, construction and ongoing maintenance.
Information on plaque placement and historical records are held in the Hahei Library and the Mercury Bay Museum, Whitianga.
This Garden has been designed for anyone to place a plaque in memory of family or friends. It has an atmosphere of quiet beauty where Hahei residents, property owners and visitors from around New Zealand and the world can contemplate and reflect. The Trustees hope you will take time to visit the Garden and enjoy its historical content and peaceful ambiance.
If you know of anyone who may be interested in placing a plaque for a relative
or friend of Hahei, please contact Trustee Kay Harrison on 021 160 7213 or click here to email Kay
Trustees for our Memorial Garden (as at Feb 2026)
Laurie Holyoake, Chair
Kay Harrison, Secretary
Peter Hogg, Treasurer
Deirdre Van Beynen, Trustee
Liz MacIntyre, Trustee
Anne Donovan, Trustee
Primary Contact:
Kay Harrison, Phone 021 160 7213
How to Apply for a Plaque
To purchase a plaque please download the application form, complete it and retuern it to the email named in the form, or post it in to us by snail mail. Paymnet details are described on the form. The cost is $350. In addition, purchasers will need to have their plaque engraved (The Committee will arrange, but the purchaser will pay separately, about $50.) The Committee will arrange for the inscribed plaque to be mounted to a wall.
As part of the history, the plaque application form includes a section to record the person’s association with Hahei. This information will be held with the plaque records.
Application Form
Help Support the Memorial Garden
Donations towards the Memorial Garden are always welcome and help with its ongoing care, planting, maintenance, and historical features. Your support helps preserve this peaceful place of reflection for residents, property owners, and visitors to Hahei. If you would like to contribute, please complete the donation form below. Thank you for helping us maintain this special community space.
As part of the history, the plaque application form includes a section to record the person’s association with Hahei. This information will be held with the plaque records.
Donation Form
