Makarika Bridge Repairs Reveal Reminder Of The Past
This repair work is part of last Octobers Governments $230m recovery package for Tairwhiti local roads and bridges which consists of four projects including slips and dropout repairs, bridge repairs, roadside drainage supporting iwi communities …
When a powerful drilling rig came to a grinding halt on Makarika no. 2 Bridge near Ruatorea last week, it was an unexpected find that once again reminded us of the rich history of our rural areas.
Buried below the riverbed, a concrete structure was identified as the foundations from the first ever Makarika no. 2 Bridge, a 151-metre suspension bridge built more than 100 years ago.
According to Council records, a multi-cable suspension bridge was built by the Public Works Department around 1923 to cross the fast moving and rising Mata River and open up new connections to farming stations, previously accessible only by fording the river.
Gisborne District Council Director Community Lifelines, Tim Barry said the construction of a suspension bridge at that time in rural Ruatorea was nothing short of amazing.
'This bridge would have been met with rapture and celebration by local whānau and industry, considering the reality of life without bridges in rural Tairāwhiti back then,' he said.
The suspension bridge was replaced with the current Makarika no.2 bridge in 1977 by Waiapu County Council.
This bridge was hit by Cyclone Gabrielle in February 2023, causing damage to the pier and abutment retaining wall on the Ruatorea side.
The pier was replaced and a temporary bailey bridge was installed to maintain access, providing time to plan a suitable repair.
One year later, a permanent fix is now underway.
Major works started earlier this month to rebuild the damaged retaining wall and reinstate the road approach. The bailey bridge will then be removed and works completed by July this year, weather permitting.
'We would like to thank the Makarika community for their patience while we work through these repairs,' added Mr Barry.
'There will be short periods when the bridge needs to be closed while we remove the bailey bridge, but we'll work with the community to ensure they are well informed and prepared ahead of time.
'I'm proud of the work we've done since funding was approved in October last year, but we understand how frustrating the process has been for all communities affected by recurring weather events.'
The Makarika no.2 bridge repairs are part of the programme to fix more than 130 bridges damaged in Cyclone Gabrielle and recurring weather events. Council has repaired 59 of 97 bridges requiring major repairs and work has been completed on half of the 36 bridges needing minor repairs.
This repair work is part of last October's Government's $230m recovery package for Tairāwhiti local roads and bridges which consists of four projects including slips and dropout repairs, bridge repairs, roadside drainage supporting iwi communities and the Tiniroto repairs and bypass.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
RNZ News
08-08-2025
- RNZ News
Wellington train satisfaction falls, record-high bus passengers
Passenger satisfaction for Wellington's rail services has fallen for the third year in a row. Photo: RNZ / Krystal Gibbens Passenger satisfaction for Wellington's rail services has slumped for the third year in a row, while bus patronage is increasing. Metlink's annual passenger satisfaction survey shows 89 percent of all rail passengers surveyed were happy, down from 92 percent last year and 94 percent the year before. Just 58 percent of rail passengers on the Wairarapa line - which runs between Masterton and Wellington - reported being satisfied with services. Greater Wellington Regional Council's Thomas Nash said trains were not as reliable or punctual as they should be, due to significant maintenance and upgrades on the network. That, along with staff shortages on the Wairarapa line had caused train cancellations, and bus replacement services had been offered instead. Nash said it was clear passengers were frustrated. "It's not rocket science, we need to get the reliability up and for rail that means getting the assets in a condition where they will allow for reliable passenger services to be run by us on those tracks." Temporary speed limit restrictions on sections of lines were also causing delays. "They do mean that the timetable isn't as efficient as it could be, isn't as frequent as it could be. That kind of punctuality does matter to people." "I think if we can start clearing out the speed restrictions that are in place because of aging assets in the government's rail network, then we as the public transport authority running the trains will be able to provide a much more reliable and punctual service for people." He expected maintenance work to continue for years, but said the regional council was focused on improving reliability at peak times. "What we need to focus on is really making sure we protect those peak times - those morning and evening peak times - on the rail network and then we can say to people, hand on heart, if you turn up in the morning to get to work, and you're coming home in the evening we will make sure your train is running." Greater Wellington Regional Council's Thomas Nash says trains are not as reliable or punctual as they should be. Photo: Thomas Nash Greater Wellington regional councillor for Wairarapa Adrienne Staples said the council was committed to working with KiwiRail to improve reliability and prepare the line for new hybrid trains, arriving in 2029. "These upgrades are extensive, but they're essential to delivering the kind of service our passengers deserve. "Wairarapa passengers have been incredibly patient, and I want to acknowledge that it's not just closures affecting the line. Vibrations, speed restrictions, and most recently staffing shortages have all contributed to services falling short of expectations." The survey shows 94 percent of bus users are satisfied, an increase from last year. Metlink group manager Samantha Gain said the reliability of bus services had exceeded 99 percent this year. Bus patronage, too, was on the up, with a record-breaking 2.5 million passengers taking the bus in March, she said. She said she was "pleased to see continued high satisfaction across the network, especially with buses and ferries, and that passengers continue to report feeling safe both onboard and while waiting at stops and stations". The independent survey, involving 2711 respondents, showed overall satisfaction with Wellington's public transport network was at 93 percent. Nash said reliability was the key to determining satisfaction in public transport and in improving rail passenger numbers. "With bus we are at record-high reliability, and consequently record-high levels of patronage on the bus network. "Conversely, satisfaction with rail is down, because reliability on rail is down, and fewer people are now using the rail service." Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
NZ Herald
07-08-2025
- NZ Herald
Clive resident calls for river dredging after years of ‘neglect'
HBRC in July began work on strengthening the riverbank beside Farndon Rd to prevent erosion. But Craig MacErlich, who was born and bred in Clive and grew up on the river, says it's the river itself that needs the attention first. 'Once upon a time, when I was young and foolish, we would jump off the Clive Bridge. The water was deep. We would also swim across to the bars. 'I wouldn't swim in it now. Hawke's Bay Regional Council has neglected the river. It hasn't been dredged for years,' MacErlich said. A spokesperson for HBRC said the council acknowledged the concerns and appreciated locals' long-standing connection to Te Awa o Mokotūāraro. 'The subject of dredging the river was taken to the council before Cyclone Gabrielle, to seek additional funding,' the spokesperson said. Hawke's Bay Regional Council is using a thick layer of large rocks to strengthen the riverbank along Te Awa o Mokotuararo. 'At that time, an extra $3m was needed and suitable options for sediment disposal were still being explored.' The council chose not to allocate the additional funding and deferred the decision to the next Long-Term Plan. After the cyclone, the revised Long-Term Plan (a shorter three-year plan) focused on recovery efforts and rebuilding critical infrastructure. 'Looking ahead, the next opportunity to reconsider funding for this important work will be during the development of the 2027-2037 Long Term Plan,' the spokesperson said. 'If funding is approved, the timing of the dredging will depend on when it is available and capacity within HBRC to do the work.' The Awa o Mokotuararo (Clive River) in the 1900s. Photo / Michael Fowler Collection MacErlich said a lack of maintenance had left the river with little flow and that it was polluted. 'When the weed boat works upstream in the Karamu, the weed floats down to the river, then stops because of the lack of flow and sits there and rots.' The council spokesperson said they knew weed removed from upstream can sometimes accumulate in the Clive River. 'This is an unintended consequence of weed clearance operations, and we are actively reviewing how operational methods and scheduling can better account for downstream effects.' The area of the riverbank being worked on was identified after stopbank ground investigations found the riverside slope had been worn away by the river. 'We have stabilised it by building a structure of specific-sized and graded rock to protect against erosion. 'It will be installed by building a thick layer of large rocks, along with approved detailed engineering designs. It acts as a barrier to absorb the energy of the river, preventing it from eroding and undermining the bank.' The road shoulder will be closed most of the time, with traffic management in place when needed. It is expected that work will be completed by the middle of September. The council said, as the project was still under way, the final cost was yet to be confirmed. In January 2023, a rowing regatta, which included teams from around the country, had to pause at low tide because of weeds and tubeworms interfering with the course. The river was officially named Te Awa o Mokotūāraro, a shorter version of Ngaruroro Moko-tū-ā-raro ki Rangatira, the original Māori name, in 2023. LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
Scoop
07-08-2025
- Scoop
Future Plan In Place For Waikawa Bay Foreshore Reserve
Press Release – Marlborough District Council Councils Manager Parks and Open Spaces Jane Tito said it was the first time the 1.2-hectare reserve, popular for picnicking, swimming and boat launching, had a formal management plan in place. Council is required to do this under the Reserves Act. The much-loved Waikawa Bay Foreshore Reserve on the eastern side of Waikawa Bay near Picton has a new management plan. Council's Manager Parks and Open Spaces Jane Tito said it was the first time the 1.2-hectare reserve, popular for picnicking, swimming and boat launching, had a formal management plan in place. Council is required to do this under the Reserves Act. 'This new plan acknowledges the relationships already in place and ensures Council, Te Ātiawa and the community are well placed to work together to ensure the respective and shared values and uses of the area are managed in a balanced way,' Ms Tito said. 'Waikawa Bay Foreshore Reserve is of great historic and cultural significance to Te Ātiawa and is enjoyed by the wider Waikawa Bay community for a broad range of recreational purposes. It is much-loved by all who visit and use it.' 'Because it is small, close to the water and very popular, the reserve does come under pressure at times. Council has a responsibility to ensure the protection of its open space and environmental values as well as to acknowledge its significance to Te Ātiawa, local residents and the wider community,' she said. The current uses of the reserve, which will not change under the new management plan, include the boat launching ramp with associated boat trailer parking, a children's playground, BBQ facilities, picnic areas and green space, dinghies and a base for the Waikawa Waka Ama Whānau. The plan provides clarity on the use of donations collected from the boat ramp and provides the opportunity for an organisation to manage the boat ramp via a formal lease arrangement. It also identifies the requirement for a review of the boat launching ramp and trailer parking within the next five years to look at any changes to use and demand. 'Most submitters also supported the need for dedicated dinghy storage areas in the reserve and staff will take a closer look at this,' Ms Tito said. Near the southern end of the reserve is an area of land vested in the Te Ātiawa o Te Waka-ā-Māui Trust as a recreation reserve through Treaty settlement legislation, where the Arapawa Māori Rowing Club building is located. 'Council will continue an open dialogue with Te Ātiawa and the Arapawa Māori Rowing Club on options for the future of the rowing club building.' In response to community feedback, a development plan will be prepared with Te Ātiawa and the wider community to provide certainty over the location, nature and function of valued features and activities within the reserve. The process towards a management plan started in 2020 with pre-consultation with iwi and key stakeholders following which Council invited suggestions from the community on what could be included in the management plan. Fifty-four submissions were received. 'From that we arrived at a draft reserve management plan that responded well to a range of issues raised in that initial engagement phase,' Ms Tito said. Council adopted the Draft Waikawa Bay Foreshore Reserve Management Plan for consultation in December last year. Twenty-three submissions were received with 13 people speaking to their submission before a hearing panel on 30 June.
