Key Takeaways
- Shara‑Lee Porter is seeking a permanent park bench at Arkles Bay to memorialise her son Tyler, whose body was found there in 2025 after an 11‑day search.
- The Hibiscus and Bays Local Board has twice declined the request, citing a policy that personal memorials in parks are only considered for individuals who have made notable community contributions.
- Porter has gathered over 3,000 signatures on a petition and insists she will continue fighting for the bench, emphasizing Tyler’s love for the spot and the communal healing that has grown around “Tyler’s tree.”
- The board maintains that exceptions are considered case‑by‑case for historically or culturally significant people, events, or contributions, and worries about consistency, maintenance, and fairness in open‑space management.
- Despite the refusal, Porter’s family is prepared to fund the bench themselves and prefers to follow the proper council approval process rather than install it unilaterally.
Background of Tyler’s Tragedy
In July 2025, Tyler Porter, a 20‑year‑old Auckland resident, lost his footing while walking home for dinner and fell into the water at Arkles Bay. His disappearance sparked an urgent, community‑wide search that lasted eleven days before his body was recovered. The ordeal drew hundreds of volunteers, neighbours, and strangers who combed the shoreline, posted flyers, and coordinated with police, demonstrating the deep impact Tyler had on those around him even before a formal memorial could be established.
The Emergence of Tyler’s Tree
Following the recovery, friends and family began leaving flowers, notes, and small tokens at a nearby pohutukawa tree that quickly became known as “Tyler’s tree.” Over the past ten months, the site has evolved from a spontaneous tribute into a gathering place for remembrance, reflection, and healing. Locals describe it as a quiet spot where people can sit, share stories, and feel connected to Tyler’s memory, transforming the tree into an informal community sanctuary.
Initial Request and Board Rejection
Shara‑Lee Porter first approached the Hibiscus and Bays Local Board early this year with a formal proposal to install a permanent bench beneath Tyler’s tree. The board’s parks and specialist team responded in February, stating that council no longer supports personal memorials in parks. Their letter explained that the policy aims to keep parks open and inclusive for all users, reserving commemorative objects for those who have made historically or culturally significant contributions to the community.
Porter’s Persistent Advocacy
Undeterred, Porter returned to the board on Tuesday with a petition bearing more than 3,000 signatures from residents who support the bench. She voiced her determination plainly: “I won’t give up.” Porter argued that evaluating a young person’s worth by the length of their life unfairly discounts the love, joy, and potential they embody, noting that Tyler was only six weeks shy of his 21st birthday when he died.
Personal Reflections on Age and Contribution
In her remarks, Porter challenged the board’s benchmark for memorial eligibility, saying, “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.” Her statement underscores a broader debate about how society measures legacy and whether youthful lives deserve equal recognition in public spaces.
Vandalism and Damage to the Memorial Site
Tyler’s tree has not been left untouched; it has suffered repeated acts of vandalism. Sentimental items have allegedly been stolen, flowers have been tossed into rubbish bins, and fairy lights adorning the tree have been ripped down. Porter described the damage as “disheartening,” noting that the very symbols meant to honour her son and unite the community are being undermined, which adds emotional strain to her ongoing campaign.
Board’s Policy Justification
The Hibiscus and Bays Local Board’s parks and specialist team reiterated that their stance follows the Local Parks Management Plan, which generally discourages personal memorials or plaques in parks to preserve them as open, inclusive environments. They noted that while local boards retain final authority on exceptions, such considerations are typically reserved for historically or culturally significant individuals, events, or substantial community contributions.
Chair Alexis Poppelbaum’s Perspective
Local board chair Alexis Poppelbaum acknowledged receiving numerous memorial requests and explained that the board must balance compassion with consistency. She said the board evaluates each case against the management plan, considers long‑term maintenance implications, and strives to keep the application process fair for all applicants. Exceptions, she noted, are examined on a case‑by‑case basis for those who meet the criteria of historical, cultural, or significant community impact.
Porter’s Willingness to Fund and Follow Process
Porter emphasized that her family is prepared to cover the full cost of the bench and associated installation. She stressed that they have avoided installing an unofficial bench because they wish to respect council procedures and ensure the memorial is legitimate and sustainable. “We have not done that because we want to do this right,” she said, highlighting a desire to cooperate with authorities rather than work outside the system.
Continuing Fight and Community Implications
As of now, the board has not reversed its decision, but Porter remains resolute, vowing to keep advocating for a bench at Arkles Bay. Her campaign raises important questions about how communities memorialise young lives, the role of public spaces in collective grief, and the balance between policy uniformity and compassionate flexibility. Regardless of the outcome, the story of Tyler’s tree and the bench request has already cemented a lasting reminder of how a tragedy can galvanise a neighbourhood and inspire ongoing dialogue about remembrance in shared environments.