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Hahei Memorial Garden
Time to Remember

Welcome to the Memorial Garden web page.

If you are in Hahei why don’t you visit the  Kotare Reserve and see the completed Memorial Garden. We think it is a wonderful space for quietly remembering those who have influenced Hahei and have now passed on.

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. Our local war heroes are remembered with named crosses, and a designated war memorial is proposed.

Started by the Trustees of the Memorial Garden,  the garden is now organised and run by the Hahei Residents and Ratepayers Association

  • Hahei Beach Coromandel Memorial Garden Entrance Sign
  • Hahei Beach Coromandel Memorial Garden
  • Hahei Beach Coromandel Memorial Garden Sign
  • Hahei Beach Coromandel Memorial Garden Dry Stone Tree Wall

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 will be 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 ambience.

Continuing History

We have collated a database of deceased persons of the Hahei community whose family or friends may wish to have them remembered in the Garden.

If you know of anyone who may be interested, please contact Trustee Kay Harrison  on 0211607213 or click here to email Kay

  • Hahei Beach Coromandel Memorial Garden Wall
  • Hahei Beach Coromandel Memorial Garden Sign
  • Hahei Beach Coromandel Memorial Garden Sign
  • Hahei Beach Coromandel Memorial Garden Marking Out The Site
  • Hahei Beach Coromandel Memorial Garden Historical Plaque Walls

Trustees For Our Memorial Garden

The Trustees were appointed  at the Trust’s AGM in 2023.

  • Laurie Holyoake, Chair
  • Kay Harrison, Secretary
  • Peter Hogg, Treasurer
  • Karen Blair, Trustee
  • Liz MacIntyre, Trustee
  • Mary Milroy, Trustee

Contacts

You can email any of the above Contacts clicking on their name

Address – C/- Hahei Beach Store, RD 1, Whitianga 3591, NZ

Trust Details For Our Memorial Garden

An Incorporated Society was registered on 15 June 2017, Charities Commission Registration received November 2017 (CC54902) and Donee status from the Inland Revenue Department in December 2017.

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Foundation Trust Members

Hahei Beach Coromandel Memorial Garden Trust Members

Stuart King, Mary Milroy, Kay Harrison, Karen Blair, Gilbert Bannan, Christine Bannan and Peter Hawley.

How to Apply for a Plaque

For an application form to purchase a plaque please click here. Plaque Application FINAL1  The cost is $250. In addition, purchasers will need to have their plaque engraved/inscribed at their cost and returned to the Trust for mounting 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.

Donations

Donations and grants to the value of $46,150 have been received so far from members of the community and charitable agencies. If you wish to make a donation please click here. Donation Form.pdf.

Donations of $5 or more are eligible for a tax credit.

 

More about Our Hahei Community Groups