friends. Her unexplained disappearance that day while out on one of her regular rides on her

beloved Commodore changed that forever. Kirsa was a fourteen year old girl who just went out for

a ride as she often did in broad daylight, in a reasonably well-populated area which she knew well

and where she was well known - and never returned. Even now, thirty four years later, it would

be hard to find an adult New Zealander who is not familiar with her name and story.

But especially in her home town of Napier, memories of that time are still fresh and a Memorial still

stands to commemorate the young girl who simply vanished from the world. Originally built by

her family and friends only a few months after her disappearance, it is a simple plaque positioned

near the place where her horse was left tied up that day at a gun emplacement long since

demolished. A young pohutukawa was planted alongside it.

Leading the original investigation was Detective Inspector Ian Holyoake. He was transferred the

following year but maintained an active interest in the ongoing work throughout his career. Out of

all the thousands of cases he dealt with over the years, it is this one he says that stands out most

and he has always remained in close contact with Kirsa’s mother Robyn. It is still an open case

with an officer assigned to it.

 

In 1999 Ian returned to Napier on his retirement, joining the Rotary Club of Ahuriri Sunrise a few

years later. In 2013 to mark the 30th anniversary of Kirsa’s disappearance, the Club decided to

make over the Memorial, clearing the surroundings and planting more trees. Napier City Council

provided a variety of materials and a grant from Keep Napier Beautiful paid for four pohutukawa

trees.

 

Since then, Former District Governor Ian and fellow club members from Ahuriri Sunrise have

carried out regular maintenance around the Memorial, sometimes in an organised group or

sometimes just in passing. It is in a rather bleak but beautiful spot on the beach front, just outside

the city. Clearly visible from SH 2, it is a landmark to many who pass by regularly, by car or on

foot or bicycle on the Rotary Pathway and no doubt each time the unanswered questions come

back into their minds. Hopefully one day there will be closure for the family and all others involved

but in the meantime Ahuriri Sunrise feel they are playing their part in keeping alive the memory.

Future plans in conjunction with the local councils include the provision of a shelter near the

Memorial with perhaps some planting to soften the area. It is hoped work will start on this within

the next few months.