Remembering little Moko
A permanent memorial is to be installed in Taupo to remember a young boy, and the hundreds of others like him, who were killed by their caregivers.
The case of young Taupo toddler Moko Rangitoheriri shook the nation with thousands taking to the streets to march for the three-year-old.
The tragic case hit a nerve with Tracy Livingstone and she wanted to make sure Moko, and other children like him, were remembered forever.
‘‘What was playing on my mind is, once the court case is over, it’s all over. No one talks about it anymore,’’ she said.
‘‘I don’t want that to happen, especially to Moko and the Nia Glassie’s of the world.’’
Livingstone approached the idea of having a monument put in to remember all the young ones to Taupo District council last year and they approved it.
‘‘Council really came on board,’’ she said.
On June 1, the works on the memorial monument – Angles of Nai (non-accidental injuries) – will officially start and on June 27 it will officially be unveiled.
The monument will include a 17 metre bench in the shape of a Koru, being placed around a big tree at lower Spa Road, just down from the Settler’s Cemetery
There was some talk that a memorial for babies who have lost their lives might not work well in the tourist town, but Mayor David Trewavas said that was not the case.
‘‘Unfortunately, it’s a reality of life that hits us home every now and then. It’s a big issue, not just for us locally but nationally,’’ he said.
‘‘We have to take into consideration from all walks of life and show our respect accordingly.’’
Trewavas said he supported the memorial going in, with Livingstone adding that Taupo was not just about the pretty things.
The project will cost $4200 and Tenon Clearwood LP have also come on board and donated $1100 worth of materials.
Livingstone is hoping more people are willing to donate towards the memorial.
Livingstone is holding a Garage Sale, Saturday May 27 at the Phoenix League Club Rooms from 7am-10am.
Anyone wishing to make contributions to the memorial can drop any donations off to Bailey Quinn’s at 26 Spa Road.