This is a not very well known memorial which marks the spot of one of New Zealands darkest days. It does look like you are going down someones driveway but this is a public memorial. There is limited turning at the memorial.
Fifty eight years ago a group of men, women and children from the Auckland area - many of them related - made a trip north for Waitangi Day. The Queen and Duke of Edinburgh were attending and those on the bus were brimming with excitement as they bid farewell to family and friends.
At the last minute, they were told that the bus they had booked had been given to another group. An older one was sent in its place and got them to Waitangi for the celebration.
On the return leg, February 7, 1963, the bus brakes suddenly failed on the southern side of pilbrow hill, The driver used the hand brake and tried changing down gears to try slow the bus but was unable to make it around the last bend. The bus plummeted down a sheer cliff face. Fourteen passengers died instantly, another later that day. The remaining passengers suffered varying injuries from cuts and fractures to severe and paralysing spinal injuries.
A memorial stone was unveiled on 7 February 2003 by descendants of those who died. 15 trees were also planted representing each who passed away in the accident.
A translation of the plaque
He whakamaharatanga tēnei mō te matenga hinepōuri o ngā tūpuna i te 7 o Pepuere 1963.
This is a memorial to the tragic deaths of our loved ones on 7 February 1963.
He pahi aituā i taka i konei i te hokinga mai i te rā whakahirahira o te Tirīti o Waitangi
In an accident a bus fell here on the return from attending Waitangi Day.
Kei raro iho ngā rārangi ingoa
The names of those who died are listed below.
Huraina tēnei kōhatu i te 7 o Pepuere 2003 Nā ngā uri whakatipu
This stone was unveiled on 7 February 2003 by the descendants of those who died.
I ngā ringaringa o Ihoa koutou e moe
You now slumber in the arms of the Lord.
The fenced area is considered Wahi Tapu (sacred) as this is the crash site of the bus. You are welcome to enter and pay your respects to those that passed away.
The cache, out of respect, has not been placed within the fenced Wahi Tapu area. Cache location can be slippery underfoot at times. Cache is a small round click clack container.