Latest news with #MariaMeredith
1News
03-08-2025
- General
- 1News
New Auckland footbridge changes colour with the wind
After more than a year without a pedestrian bridge, the Panmure Basin has a fresh new look and is open to the community. Locals gathered at dawn on July 19 to celebrate the opening of Te Kōpua o Hiku, a striking new walking and cycling connection that links both sides of the lagoon through art, culture, and consideration for the environment. The 60-metre bridge replaced the original Jubilee Bridge, which was closed in July 2023 after engineers deemed it unsafe. The long-awaited replacement will restore a vital route for walking and cycling around the basin and introduces interactive public art that is powered by the wind. Delivered under budget and ahead of schedule, Te Kōpua o Hiku reflected a collaboration between Ngāti Pāoa, the Maungakiekie-Tāmaki Local Board, Auckland Council engineers, and the Public Art team. The project integrated cultural storytelling, functional design, and data-responsive lighting to create a new landmark. 'It adds a little bit of heart to the community' ADVERTISEMENT Maria Meredith, chair of the Maungakiekie-Tāmaki Local Board, said the project was one of five across Auckland that the mayor praised. "The overall bridge... was one of five projects across the city that the Mayor of Auckland was really happy with," she said. "Why? Because it was delivered differently and it came under cost." The bridge was fabricated off-site, assembled in Pakuranga and then lifted into place with a 600-tonne crane in December 2024. Meredith said the successful outcome was due to collaboration across various council departments. "It wasn't just Auckland Council. There was Healthy Waters, Watercare, Vector, different people all working... to get the area ready for the installation of the new bridge." On opening day, the bridge quickly became a symbol of connection for the community. "I met two people that were in their 90s... one lady was 90, the other one was 90... they wanted to be the eldest person to cross the bridge. I met somebody who wanted to be first on his e-bike," she said. 'The new Panmure Basin Te Kōpua o Hiku bridge really adds a little bit of heart to the community.' ADVERTISEMENT At night, the bridge glows with moving colour, shaped by the natural elements. (Source: Local Democracy Reporting) A bridge built for wellbeing and everyday use Josephine Bartley, councillor of the Maungakiekie-Tāmaki ward, said the bridge supports community wellbeing and everyday travel needs. "The bridge plays a major part in people's well-being because so many people use it for exercise and they do the loop," she said. "So many people come, not just the locals, but people come from around Auckland to exercise around the basin." The bridge is an excellent example of how public art and infrastructure can work together, blending beauty with functionality. Bartley also highlighted the environmental benefits. "It's not just a beautiful bridge, but it's got functional purpose as well for people's daily lives. ADVERTISEMENT "That particular area... we have one of the only shag colonies left in the suburbs. So it's good that it's finally finished, no more disruption for the birds there." She said the bridge's design came together through strategic thinking that allowed for more funding. "In making the bridge a public art installation, we were able to use public art money to go towards the cost of the new bridge. So I think it's a very clever way to have public art in a community, but also for a functioning community." Where art meets ancestry Ngāti Pāoa named the bridge Te Kōpua o Hiku, referring to the deep pool beneath it, which has long been associated with the taniwha Moko-ika-hiku-waru. Meredith said the iwi has always referred to the area by this name. "That particular area for many centuries has always been known as Te Kōpua o Hiku, which is in reference to the taniwha... The name has never changed," she said. "It was kind of beautiful to attach that name to the bridge when it was completed." ADVERTISEMENT The bridge includes 30 tukutuku-like panels that respond to wind and light. Real-time weather data activates kinetic lighting from dusk until 10pm. "As the wind blows, it actually influences and changes the colours on the bridge," Meredith said. "It actively responds to the environment... During the day it's an awesome bridge to walk over, and by the evening... it changes colours." The design was created by artists Janine Williams (Ngāti Pāoa) and Shannon Novak (Tararā). Ngāti Pāoa also participated in the opening ceremony. "They helped to celebrate and mark the occasion when we had a dawn karakia," Meredith said. "They got to share a little bit of history about the area and the rationale behind the naming." A regional taonga for future generations Auckland Council invested $1.2 million over nine years into the public art component of the bridge as part of a wider commitment to integrate culture and creativity into infrastructure. The project represented the fourth major artwork by the Public Art team that used real-time environmental data, joining other installations like Te Ara i Whiti (Lightpath), Waimahara in Myers Park, and Te Hokinga Mahara in Warkworth. ADVERTISEMENT Around 430 native plants have been added to the site, and a new 380m² pathway invites further community connection. The bridge is designed to last 100 years, with the artwork maintained separately for a decade. Meredith said the structure now serves not only Panmure, but also visitors from across the region. "This particular asset... will serve the local area as well as the wider region and any international visitors." - LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
Scoop
07-05-2025
- Business
- Scoop
Safe Rail Bridges Coming For Glen Innes, Takaanini And Te Mahia
Press Release – Auckland Transport Three Auckland train stations where there have been dozens of near misses between pedestrians and trains during the past decade will have their pedestrian level crossings replaced by modern,accessible overbridges, Auckland Transport (AT) says. New pedestrian overbridges at Glen Innes, Takaanini and Te Mahia stations will improve safety and support more frequent and reliable train services when the City Rail Link opens. The Government and Auckland Council have brought forward funding to allow construction of the three pedestrian bridges to be fast-tracked, with work starting at Labour Weekend when the rail network is closed and continuing during the summer rail closure. From this week, AT is asking for feedback on the proposed bridge designs for Glen Innes, Takaanini and Te Mahia stations. Local boards onboard with plan to improve safety in their communities Maungakiekie-Tāmaki Local Board Chair Maria Meredith says it will be great to have safer access for the Glen Innes community. 'The City Rail Link will enable more efficient travel times from the Glen Innes station, but more importantly, the removal of the level crossing will also enable a far safer environment,' she says. 'By removing level crossing incidents, we'll have a more efficient and safer network for all users.' Papakura Local Board Chair Brent Catchpole says removing level crossings will help keep people moving safely. 'Many crossings were built back when there were less people and less trains operating,' he says. 'As our community grows and more people live near train lines, removing level crossings will help keep people moving safely with less congestion.' Manurewa Local Board Chairperson Matt Winiata says he is pleased to see AT progressing plans for the replacement of the pedestrian level crossing at Te Mahia Station. 'The new pedestrian bridge will allow safer access to and from the station platform from both Great South Road and Ferguson Street,' he says. 'This follows significant investment by the Local Board in the Te Mahia pedestrian plaza, transforming a train station with a once uncertain future into a notable transport hub for the surrounding area.' Safe rail bridges part of AT's plan to get ready for the City Rail Link opening Auckland Transport Director of Infrastructure and Place Murray Burt says the new pedestrian bridges will make it safer to access the stations and are part of a broader level crossing programme that will support more frequent and reliable train services when the City Rail Link opens. 'Every single incident at a level crossing has an impact that can be deadly or life-changing, taking a huge toll on train drivers and those who narrowly miss a collision,' Mr Burt says. Mr Burt says these three level crossings have been prioritised for replacement with accessible overbridges because of how busy the rail network is through those areas. 'Takaanini and Te Mahia stations have been prioritised because that section of the Southern Line is the busiest on the Auckland rail network with a large number of freight and passenger trains,' Mr Burt says. 'Removing the level crossing at Glen Innes Station is needed because it is the last remaining level crossing on the Eastern Line, which will have trains every five minutes at peak after City Rail Link opens.' Feedback wanted before AT finalises bridge designs The designs for the three bridges have been developed to provide good access to the train stations, improve pedestrian safety, and to deliver value for money for ratepayers. 'We now want to hear feedback from our passengers and local communities about what the designs will mean for access, connection, and safety,' Mr Burt says. This feedback will be used to finalise the bridge designs and to help with AT's plans to integrate the bridges and station access into the wider neighbourhoods nearby. Notes: The feedback period on the proposed bridge designs opened today and runs until 30 May. Have your say at Level Crossing Removal Programme | Have your say About AT's level crossings programme · Level crossings increase safety risks for pedestrians and people in vehicles and make travel time longer for both people travelling on trains and those wanting to cross the tracks. · Level crossings restrict train frequencies and have safety, productivity and accessibility implications on the road network, particularly when barrier arms need to be down longer. · AT, KiwiRail and NZTA are working together to remove or replace all remaining 42 level crossings in Auckland over the next 10-30 years. · The phasing of removals is driven by a range of factors including the frequency of trains, traffic delays, safety, available funding and future passenger growth in the years after City Rail Link opens. · Following the removal of crossings to support increased train frequencies when City Rail Link opens in 2026 the priority order of removals is: o Takanini – three new road bridges to replace level crossings. Funding has been confirmed and AT is beginning the detailed design, consenting, property acquisition and construction phase. o Inner Western Line and other high priority crossings on the Western Line from the 2030s when passenger numbers have grown. o Remaining Western Line crossings.
Scoop
07-05-2025
- Business
- Scoop
Safe Rail Bridges Coming For Glen Innes, Takaanini And Te Mahia
Three Auckland train stations where there have been dozens of near misses between pedestrians and trains during the past decade will have their pedestrian level crossings replaced by modern, accessible overbridges, Auckland Transport (AT) says. New pedestrian overbridges at Glen Innes, Takaanini and Te Mahia stations will improve safety and support more frequent and reliable train services when the City Rail Link opens. The Government and Auckland Council have brought forward funding to allow construction of the three pedestrian bridges to be fast-tracked, with work starting at Labour Weekend when the rail network is closed and continuing during the summer rail closure. From this week, AT is asking for feedback on the proposed bridge designs for Glen Innes, Takaanini and Te Mahia stations. Local boards onboard with plan to improve safety in their communities Maungakiekie-Tāmaki Local Board Chair Maria Meredith says it will be great to have safer access for the Glen Innes community. 'The City Rail Link will enable more efficient travel times from the Glen Innes station, but more importantly, the removal of the level crossing will also enable a far safer environment,' she says. 'By removing level crossing incidents, we'll have a more efficient and safer network for all users.' Papakura Local Board Chair Brent Catchpole says removing level crossings will help keep people moving safely. 'Many crossings were built back when there were less people and less trains operating,' he says. 'As our community grows and more people live near train lines, removing level crossings will help keep people moving safely with less congestion.' Manurewa Local Board Chairperson Matt Winiata says he is pleased to see AT progressing plans for the replacement of the pedestrian level crossing at Te Mahia Station. 'The new pedestrian bridge will allow safer access to and from the station platform from both Great South Road and Ferguson Street,' he says. 'This follows significant investment by the Local Board in the Te Mahia pedestrian plaza, transforming a train station with a once uncertain future into a notable transport hub for the surrounding area." Safe rail bridges part of AT's plan to get ready for the City Rail Link opening Auckland Transport Director of Infrastructure and Place Murray Burt says the new pedestrian bridges will make it safer to access the stations and are part of a broader level crossing programme that will support more frequent and reliable train services when the City Rail Link opens. 'Every single incident at a level crossing has an impact that can be deadly or life-changing, taking a huge toll on train drivers and those who narrowly miss a collision,' Mr Burt says. Mr Burt says these three level crossings have been prioritised for replacement with accessible overbridges because of how busy the rail network is through those areas. 'Takaanini and Te Mahia stations have been prioritised because that section of the Southern Line is the busiest on the Auckland rail network with a large number of freight and passenger trains,' Mr Burt says. 'Removing the level crossing at Glen Innes Station is needed because it is the last remaining level crossing on the Eastern Line, which will have trains every five minutes at peak after City Rail Link opens.' Feedback wanted before AT finalises bridge designs The designs for the three bridges have been developed to provide good access to the train stations, improve pedestrian safety, and to deliver value for money for ratepayers. 'We now want to hear feedback from our passengers and local communities about what the designs will mean for access, connection, and safety,' Mr Burt says. This feedback will be used to finalise the bridge designs and to help with AT's plans to integrate the bridges and station access into the wider neighbourhoods nearby. Notes: The feedback period on the proposed bridge designs opened today and runs until 30 May. Have your say at Level Crossing Removal Programme | Have your say About AT's level crossings programme · Level crossings increase safety risks for pedestrians and people in vehicles and make travel time longer for both people travelling on trains and those wanting to cross the tracks. · Level crossings restrict train frequencies and have safety, productivity and accessibility implications on the road network, particularly when barrier arms need to be down longer. · AT, KiwiRail and NZTA are working together to remove or replace all remaining 42 level crossings in Auckland over the next 10-30 years. · The phasing of removals is driven by a range of factors including the frequency of trains, traffic delays, safety, available funding and future passenger growth in the years after City Rail Link opens. · Following the removal of crossings to support increased train frequencies when City Rail Link opens in 2026 the priority order of removals is: o Takanini – three new road bridges to replace level crossings. Funding has been confirmed and AT is beginning the detailed design, consenting, property acquisition and construction phase. o Inner Western Line and other high priority crossings on the Western Line from the 2030s when passenger numbers have grown. o Remaining Western Line crossings. o Southern Line Papakura to Pukekohe – aligned with KiwiRail's four tracking.
