Families of Erebus crash victims are appalled by the Auckland Mayor's comments about a planned national memorial in the city and believe more than four decades on their loved ones deserve better.

43 years ago today the Air NZ scenic flight over Antartica crashed into the side of Mount Erebus, killing all 257 people onboard - New Zealand's largest peace time loss of life.

In an editorial published on Sunday, Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown referred to the proposed memorial as a "a huge concrete thing" and said it should be near the airport, reminding us that there is a risk in flying.

On Monday afternoon the Prime Minister stood by her commitment to delivering a national memorial for Erebus families.

The project has been stalled, with a local board delaying its decision around use of the Parnell Rose Garden for the memorial.

David Allan's parents and sister Jane died in the Erebus crash. He talks to Lisa Owen.