Frances Hughes, Maria Rehu and Ra Hepi at the opening of the Mangaokewa bridge last Thursday. PHOTOS ROZEL COFFIN
Mangaokewa scenic reserve in Te Kūiti again has a bridge – restoring access to three ancient pā sites and the Te Araroa trail.
It was formally opened by Ngāti Rora, Te Nenenehenui and DOC this past Thursday.
Ngāti Rora’s Shannon Manawaiti said the previous structure, an “iconic swing bridge”, was judged unrepairable after flooding earlier this year, following earlier damage during 2022’s Cyclone Dovi.
“The decision was made between us and DOC to replace it with a solid wood construction, as opposed to a suspension bridge.”
That meant it could sit higher above the river: “out of the danger zone,” Shannon said.
“It shouldn’t get affected by floods in the future.”
It was important for the community to have access to that side of the river.
“It’s a very historical area for us … there are three old pā sites in the vicinity.”
Estimated by Shannon to be three or four hundred years old, these could otherwise be accessed only through private land.
That side of the river also featured a walking track connected to the Te Araroa trail, a tramping route traversing New Zealand, he said.
Graham Kimber, DOC’s Maniapoto operations manager, described DOC’s involvement in the process.
“The Mangaokewa Reserve suspension bridge had been damaged by previous extreme weather events, and the need for a replacement was identified by DOC.
“The reserve is part of the Maniapoto Treaty Settlement and is significant to iwi [so] we consulted with local iwi Ngāti Rora and [tribal authority] Te Nenenehenui on the design.”
DOC chose a design which employed glued-laminate solid timber construction.
“This design was seen as a more cost-effective option rather than replacing the previous bridge with ‘like for like’.
“Walkway Solutions successfully tendered for construction of the bridge. It was built off-site in two sections, and then transferred by truck to the reserve – where it was installed using a crane.
“DOC will maintain the new bridge until the reserve is formally handed over to iwi as part of the Treaty Settlement.”
