Jacinda Ardern has met with the families of those killed in the Erebus tragedy.
Photo: RNZ / Anneke Smith
Today marks the 39th anniversary of the plane crash, in which 257 people died when an Air New Zealand sightseeing flight crashed in Antarctica.
Three million dollars has been earmarked for a national memorial in Auckland's Parnell Rose Gardens.
Ms Adern privately met with those directly affected by the tragedy at the Dalmatian Cultural Society this afternoon.
She said it was an important milestone for those directly affected by the tragedy.
"Today was an opportunity to talk about some really practical things around the future design of the Erebus memorial.
"It was also a chance to aknowledge the huge loss people experienced and continue to feel very deeply."
Ms Adern says it's unlikely the memorial will be complete by next year's 40th anniversary, but added there will still be a commemoration at the site.