Memorial garden for young victim

The Woods family yesterday. Photo / David Alexander

Grieving mum Emma Woods has remembered her 4-year-old son with the opening of a memorial garden - built with the assistance of Nayan Woods' remorseful killer.

More than 100 people went to the opening in Christchurch yesterday.

Nayan was killed in front of his mother and brother Jacob, 6, by teen motorist Ashley Austin who lost control of his modified car and swerved on to the footpath in May.

Woods was named yesterday as the New Zealand Herald's New Zealander of the Year for her act of forgiveness towards Austin, 18.

Construction of the garden at the Linwood Playcentre, which Nayan attended, started last week but had been in the pipeline since his death.

As Jacob handed out bubble solution, Woods said she wanted to do something for the community that loved Nayan with the money people had donated. "It takes a community to raise a child," she said, "therefore it also takes a community to mourn a child."

Each day over the past week more than 40 volunteers worked on the garden which was blessed by Richard Tankersley of the Te Runaka Ki Otautahi O Kai Tahu.

While not a single plant was bought and most of the garden was donated, Mrs Woods said they had still managed to go over budget. "My favourite part is the bird area because just before he died, Nayan started playing with birds. He had a real fascination with them."

Austin helped build the garden but did not attend the opening. He was sentenced to 200 hours of community work and six months' community detention.