A memorial

Located in Western Park, entered from Ponsonby Road, my One Street.

A Maori weaving pattern expressed with mosaic stones rather than dyed flax fibre. Taken from this particular angle the path in and the circle gives the feel of a koru (fern frond before it has opened). This is in memory of Betty Wark, described on the plaque here as a community worker and Auckland City Councillor.

Betty didn't wait for organisations, for funding, for approval or even for acceptance. She took homeless and substance abusing youngsters into her home to give them aroha (love), and food and warmth. And gentle discipline. Her service grew and funding provided a larger house for more children and more staff and volunteers. Although her clientele were mostly Maori, she never turned anyone away.

The words on the plaque read:
AROHANUI TONU
AN ABUNDANCE OF LOVE

Mauri tu, mauri ora
Mauri noho, mauri mate
Those who choose to stand will live
Those who choose to do nothing will perish

She was mourned greatly by many whose lives were touched by her.