Latest news with #aBridge
1News
15-06-2025
- 1News
New bridge, walkway protecting historic Hauranga Pā in Taranaki opens
A new bridge and walkway protecting the historic Hauranga Pā site near Ōākura in Taranaki has opened. The project, led by New Plymouth District Council in collaboration with mana whenua and the Kaitake Community Board, focused on a walkway given the name Te Ara Tahuri Hau (pathway of wind changes), which was supported by a rock revetment protecting the wāhi tapu site and allowing access around the headland at high tide. It also included a replacement for the footbridge over the Whenu Ariki Stream destroyed during ex-tropical Cyclone Dovi in 2022. Ngāti Tairi and Ngā Mahanga hapū raised concern that people crossing the pā were damaging it, a claim supported by two archaeologists' reports. As a result, informal walking and cycle trails had developed, damaging the pā, a heavily populated site in pre-European times, and exposing archaeological features. ADVERTISEMENT The New Plymouth District Council — which managed the Weld Road Coastal Reserve — approved a $570,000 bridge, rockwall and walkway traversing the headland in 2021 and Taranaki Regional Council consents were granted last year. The completed project cost about $2 million, with about $440,000 of funding from the NZ Transport Agency. New Plymouth District Council project delivery manager Sean Cressy said it was great to get the project over the line. "A lot of time and effort has gone into protecting the sensitive heritage and ecology of the site, and we've had widespread community and hapū support for the new bridge and walkway, which showcases our historic and scenic coastline for locals and visitors. "The New Plymouth District Council is committed to protecting the historic Hauranga Pā, so we designed the bridge and pathway together as a great route for walkers and cyclists to enjoy the coast while still respecting the archaeological and wāhi tapu site. "The sensitive coastal environment required extensive technical input into the project." Ngāti Tairi representative Keith Manukonga said Hauranga Pā was one of the largest pā in the Tataraimaka district and held deep cultural and historical significance to mana whenua. ADVERTISEMENT "Te Ara Tahuri Hau will help people to respect this site and its significance. It's a very nice walkway and we trust people will use it and enjoy it." Cressy said the construction window was tight to work around the penguins and other wildlife during nesting seasons. Ramps and handrails on the new bridge were built with help from seven Taranaki students in the Build a Bridge training programme, a partnership of New Plymouth District Council, WITT Te Pūkenga and the building industry to give teenagers valuable job skills. Cressy said in recent years, it has been a popular link for walkers and cyclists between the Timaru and Whenu Ariki streams, and this was regarded as a risk to the site's archaeological features. On the new shared pathway, cyclists must walk their bikes around for the safety of other users.
Scoop
04-06-2025
- General
- Scoop
Build A Bridge Students In The Dog House For A Job Well Done
A group of Taranaki teenagers are learning that construction work isn't a dog's life – it's about making life better for the dogs. The seven high school students in the Build a Bridge training partnership of NPDC, WITT and the building industry have helped create a safer, cleaner and more comfortable isolation area for new arrivals at the NPDC Pound. The original 1990 building at the pound on Rifle Range Road is being refitted with new holding pens with outdoor runs and wooden kennels where new dogs can be held safely for processing and to limit the spread of contagious diseases like parvovirus. After that they are moved to the main pound building where they be held until their owners claim them or they are found new homes. 'The old pound building, built in 1990, is now a much better habitat for the dogs and fully in line with animal welfare standards, with help from the Build a Bridge team who designed and built the kennels from scratch. Our rangatahi are getting a career step-up with on-the-job training while ensuring the work is done to the highest standard and keeping the costs down for ratepayers,' said NPDC Manager Consents and Regulatory Damien Morresey. NZIHT School of Engineering, Energy and Infrastructure Programme Manager Jan Kivell said Build a Bridge continues to be a popular and enjoyable course in its fifth year. 'We are very lucky to have an extremely experienced tutor who makes the course interesting and fun, along with fantastic support from NPDC staff . This year we have also had the pleasure of working with Southcoast Construction for the first time. WITT is proud to be a part of a course that provides students with practical skills for the construction and infrastructure industries,' said Mrs Kivell. This year the Build a Bridge students are also building ramps and handrails for the Hauranga headland swing bridge near Ōākura and replacing the jetty at Lake Rotomanu. Fast Facts: The NPDC Pound upgrade includes new drainage, insulation and improvements to the processing and exercise areas in line with Ministry for Primary Industry standards. Build a Bridge is a partnership of NPDC, NZIHT School of Engineering, Energy and Infrastructure at WITT, Fulton Hogan, Whitaker Civil Engineering, Downer Group, Southcoast Construction, and WSP. Eight students took part in the first Build a Bridge project in 2021, building a new Camden Street footbridge over the Huatoki River. In recent years students have replaced footbridges on the Mangati Walkway in Bell Block, the Waimea Stream Reserve and Pukekura Park in New Plymouth.
