Manukau Memorial Gardens in Papatoetoe is asking for help from the public to trace the families of loved ones whose headstones were accidentally damaged last week.
“Manukau Memorial Gardens deeply regrets to advise that five headstones were accidentally damaged when a maintenance truck drifted off the road last week while undertaking regular maintenance in the “C” Area in the middle of the gardens,” says Auckland Council Manager, Cemeteries, Catherine Moore.
The affected plots are G1, G2, G3, H2 and H3, nearest to the roadway. Plot H1 was also traversed, but shows no visible damage.
Staff of the gardens are anxious to locate the families affected by the damage so that they can offer a formal apology and arrange the restoration of the headstones as quickly as possible.
“The families were located in Manurewa, Mangere and Otara from 1990 to 1998, when the headstones were placed, but many of those families have since moved and we need to consult them on how to respectfully manage the restorations,” says Catherine.
If you think your loved one may have been affected by this incident, please call Kathy Kendall-Sparrow at Manukau Memorial Gardens on 09 279 8232. There is no cost to families for the restoration.
Manukau Memorial Gardens is located at 361 Puhinui Road, Papatoetoe and serves the community of south Auckland.
