Tegan Chen's Parents Seek to Encourage Others Through Tragedy

The tragic drowning of 10-year-old Tegan Chen in Fiordland National Park has left her family reeling, but they are determined to use their experience to help others facing similar struggles. Tegan, who was visiting New Zealand from Australia, drowned in the fast-flowing Marian Creek in January 2024 after falling into the water and being swept downstream. Her mother, Deb Fung, shared that the coroner’s report into Tegan’s death has brought both sadness and a sense of comfort.

In her findings, Coroner Mary-Anne Borrowdale described Tegan as a “very active and happy girl,” a characterization that brings both joy and sorrow to her family. Fung said she misses her daughter “every moment, every day,” and the coroner’s report highlighted how easy it was for visitors to step onto the rocks from the nearby walking track — a factor that contributed to the tragedy.

Following the incident, the Department of Conservation immediately installed warning signs at the site, with permanent signs added later. A viewing platform, which had been planned before Tegan’s death, was completed in June, covering the rocks that were previously accessible. Barriers have also been installed on all sides of the platform to prevent similar incidents in the future.

Fung expressed relief at the measures taken and reflected on what might have been if the platform had been in place before the tragedy. She and her family have been working through their grief, finding strength in the support of loved ones and the memories they hold of Tegan. “Holding the memories of her very closely... building memories with her in spirit differently,” Fung said, emphasizing that facing pain directly, rather than trying to forget, has been their approach.

The tragedy has changed the family’s perspective on life, leading them to embrace each day more fully. Tegan’s father, Adrian Chen, shared that the family is determined to use their experience to help others. “There is a lot of grief and a lot of traumas out there... that a lot of people are going through,” he said. “If we can be an encouragement to others... helping people to see difficult circumstances is not just pain, but also a chance for growth.”

Adrian emphasized the importance of acknowledging pain rather than suppressing it, and the family is now working on a memorial project that will include a community garden and a small museum dedicated to Tegan’s life, with the hope of inspiring others to find strength in their own struggles.

The family’s journey is one of resilience, and they hope that by sharing their story, they can help others find light in their own darkness. “Tegan’s life was full of love and laughter, and we want to make sure that her memory lives on in a way that inspires others to be brave and to find hope,” Fung said.