18 March 2026
The rebuild of Grays Bridge near Te Karaka began this week with a karakia and sod-turning ceremony attended by community members, mana whenua, contractors, the Mayor and council staff.
Local resident Esther Richardson said with a new bridge, there will be a sense of security that things can go back to normal.
"We've made it work over the last three years, but it's taken it's toll - medical events included," she said.
"When the bridge is completed it will be such a relief for us all to not have to worry every time it rains."
Mayor Rehette Stoltz said while most of Tairāwhiti has moved forward, there are many communities still dealing with the impacts of Cyclone Gabrielle on a daily basis.
“We can't underestimate the toll this recovery has taken on these communities," she said.
"Rebuilding this bridge is another important step in piecing our infrastructure back together and reconnecting our people.
“I’m proud of the progress we’ve made so far, but we still have a long way to go.”
Grays Bridge is the third bridge to start construction as part of Council’s $241.4m Cyclone Gabrielle recovery programme.
The rebuild of St Leger Bridge in Tiniroto is now approaching the halfway mark, and enabling works are underway on Mata Bridge near Tokomaru Bay.
The new 45-metre single-lane bridge will take around one year to build and has been designed to withstand a cyclone stronger than Cyclone Gabrielle. It will allow floodwaters to flow over the deck, with safety rails engineered to detach if submerged, reducing structural pressure during major flood events.
Local company Ritchie Civil has been awarded the construction contract, competing against contractors from outside the region. Ritchie Civil will be supported by a range of local companies that came together to combine their expertise when tendering for the project.
“Ritchie Civil winning a local bridge rebuild is a great outcome for our region. I completely support the ‘by local, for local’ approach they have taken,” added Mayor Stoltz.
“I’m incredibly proud of how our local contractors have stepped up to support the region’s recovery.
“Alongside repairing and rebuilding our roads and bridges, this investment is also critical for supporting local jobs, building capability, and keeping investment circulating here in Tairāwhiti.”
At $107m, the bridge rebuild and repair programme is the largest part of Council’s recovery work. Other major projects include $52.5m for slip and dropout repairs, the $45m Tiniroto Bypass project, and $37m for roadside drainage improvements supporting iwi communities.
More information on the recovery programme
The sod turning and karakia for start of construction on Grays Bridge was well attended by community, contractors and Council.