An Auckland mum says she will keep fighting for a bench to be installed at a beach where her son died, despite the local board refusing her request.
By Torika Tokalau of Local Democracy Reporting
Shara-Lee Porter wanted to put a park bench at Arkles Bay where her son Tyler’s body was found in 2025, 11 days after he disappeared.
Porter first approached the Hibiscus and Bays Local Board with her request earlier this year and was rejected.
She was told personal memorials at parks were only considered for people who had made a memorable contribution to the community.
On Tuesday, she was back in front of the local board, with a petition signed by more than 3000 people, pleading for them to reconsider.
“I won’t give up,” Porter said. “My son was six weeks short of his 21st birthday, what did they expect him to do in the short time that he had. He’s not an 80-year-old who’s had time to live and do big things for the community.”
She wanted the bench installed under what has come to be known as Tyler’s tree – a temporary memorial for her son.
“I won’t give up,” Porter said. “My son was six weeks short of his 21st birthday, what did they expect him to do in the short time that he had. He’s not an 80-year-old who’s had time to live and do big things for the community.”
She wanted the bench installed under what has come to be known as Tyler’s tree – Tyler’s tree, which has become a temporary memorial for her son.
It has been targeted and damaged, with sentimental items allegedly stolen several times, flowers thrown in a bin and fairy lights ripped down.
“It’s quite disheartening that what would be so meaningful to not just our family, but a reminder to the community of how we came together for Tyler, is being turned down.”
Tyler died last July, after he lost his footing on his walk home for dinner. What followed was an agonising 11-day search, Porter said.
"It was a search that brought an entire community together, coming out in hundreds to help bring my boy home.“
She said Tyler loved Arkles Bay and it was only fitting they had a memorial bench there for him.
"Over the past 10 months, Tyler's tree has evolved into something much larger than a personal memorial. It has become a vital community space for remembrance, reflection, connection and healing for many."
Her family was ready to pay for the bench, all they needed was a yes from council.
“We hear stories of how people have installed benches on their own, without council approval. We have not done that because we want to do this right."
A letter to Porter in February from the Hibiscus and Bays Local Board’s parks and specialist team, said council no longer supported personal memorials in parks.
“This approach helps preserve parks as open and inclusive spaces for all.”
While local boards had the final decisions around potential exceptions, commemorative objects were typically only considered for historically or culturally significant people, events, or significant community contributions, they said.
They recommended Porter consider several options, including a community planting day, hosting a commemorative event, or memorialisation on private land.
Local board chair Alexis Poppelbaum said they receive many requests for memorials at parks and reserves and were guided by the Local Parks Management Plan, which generally did not support personal memorials or plaques in parks.
Poppelbaum said the board had to ensure consistency in how open spaces were managed, consider maintenance implications, and that the application process was fair.
“Exceptions are considered on a case-by-case basis for historically or culturally significant people, events, or contributions.”
– LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
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