Petition launched to save memorial
Pressure is mounting on the NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) to reconsider plans to remove a memorial honouring Dunedin photographer Riley Baker.
A tourist driver hit and killed the 26-year-old as he rode his motorcycle on State Highway 1, near the Shag Point turnoff between Palmerston and Moeraki, on August 13, 2016.
His grieving family sought permission from NZTA to install a headstone near the crash site, but were shocked to learn it may be removed after a contractor emailed them last week.
Now a petition to save that headstone, which contains Baker’s ashes, has been launched.
The ’’Leave Riley Baker’s Memorial Alone’’ petition attracted comments, including ’’This is a cruel decision made by unthinking people’’.
‘‘The family followed all the right protocols to put this memorial in. Too bad if anyone disagrees with it,’’ said another, adding ‘‘leave it alone’’.
NZTA transport system management senior manager Steve Mutton confirmed the agency gave permission to install a seat ‘‘to look out to the ocean with a plaque on the seat as a memorial to Riley’’.
Contractors were there when the seat was installed.
The Agency did not give permission to install a headstone containing ashes by the seat, which was on public road reserve land, Mutton said.
He acknowledged this was not clearly communicated to Baker’s family and apologised for the distress.
‘‘We are committed to working with them to find a resolution to this unfortunate situation.’’
Baker’s sister, Sarah Baker, said she was yet to hear from NZTA since hearing the headstone was to be moved.
Texts between her and a Downer contractor showed the family sought permission before they installed the headstone.
‘‘I can’t see any issues with the granite plaque. It seems like a much more secure and lasting solution,’’ the contractor wrote.