Latest news on replacing the Swing Bridge

The Rotary River Pathways Trust is excited to announce that a new bridge will be erected across the Tuki Tuki River at the site of the community funded Swing Bridge that was lost in March. The new bridge will be built by a partnership comprising the Rotary River Pathways Trust, the Central Hawkes Bay District Council, and the Hawkes Bay Regional Council.

The siting of the bridge will be oriented on a more diagonal angle – it will be a stronger steel construction and sit 2.5m higher.

In addition, the bridge structure will include plans for the future reticulation of wastewater, that will eventually form part of the centralised wastewater treatment for Waipukurau, Waipawa and Otāne in 2025. The Council sees this as an ideal opportunity and the partnership is a win win for our community.

Donations and subscriptions raised to undertake the clean-up and restoration of structures, tracks, limestone trails, bridge approaches, Gum Tree Farm Mountain Bike Park and to create new trails and facilities have been used for and will continue to be used for those purposes.

We do plan to use funds to enhance the visuals of the bridge, particularly the boardwalks, approaches and surrounding amenities.

Everyone who walks, runs, or cycles our trails has felt the loss of the swing bridge - it was a key part of the Tukituki trails network. We're now in a unique position to rebuild a resilient, long-lasting bridge for locals and visitors.

The Trust and the Council hope to have the bridge completed by mid 2023

If you are interested in becoming a Friend of the Tukituki Trail and contributing to the trail system restoration click on the button below