2 October 2025
The final phase of work on the 1000-Year Bridge, a project delivered in partnership between Ngāti Oneone and Gisborne District Council, began today.
Installation of design features to represent puhoro (spiral designs) and rauawa (boards fixed to the sides of the waka form) will take place over October – bringing the story and legacy of the structure to life.
The bridge was structurally completed earlier this year, but Ngāti Oneone and Council agreed the bridge would not be formally opened until its cultural elements were complete.
Chief Executive Nedine Thatcher Swann says Council is committed to finishing the bridge in the right way.
“This bridge has always been more than a pedestrian bridge that connects the iconic landmarks of Puhi Kai Iti/Cook Landing site and Titirangi Maunga.”
“With views of Te Kurī a Paoa / Young Nick’s Head, Tūranganui-ā-Kiwa / Poverty Bay, and the landing site where navigators arrived here by canoe, waka and ship over the past 1000 years – it is a legacy of our dual heritage.”
“With these final cultural elements, the waka takes its true form. We are grateful for the patience of our community as we complete this final stage.”
The project has been funded primarily by external grants totalling $3.1 million that included construction of the Te Maro platform at the Ruatanuika lookout.
Council allocated less than $100k for the final installation of design elements to ensure the cultural integrity of the bridge is honoured.
The bridge is part of the Navigate Tairāwhiti programme, reflecting and commemorating the region’s heritage of navigation, arrival and traditional stories unique only to our district and our people.
Two-way stop and go traffic management will be in place on Kaiti Beach Road between 9am-2pm weekdays and 7am-3pm weekends from Thursday 2 October.
Work is expected to take 3 weeks weather dependent. Once the design elements are installed, Council and Ngāti Oneone will confirm a date for the official opening.
The rauawa designs are applied by the team at Live Creative in preparation for paintwork