Teen who died at beach doesn’t qualify for a memorial bench, mum told

An Auckland mum says she will keep fighting for a bench to be installed at a beach where her son died, despite the local board refusing her request.

Shara-Lee Porter wants to put a park bench at Arkles Bay where her son Tyler’s body was found in 2025, 11 days after he disappeared.

Porter first approached the Hibiscus and Bays Local Board with her request earlier this year and was rejected.

She was told personal memorials at parks were only considered for people who had made a memorable contribution to the community.

On Tuesday, she was back in front of the local board, with a petition signed by more than 3000 people, pleading for them to reconsider.