Client: New Plymouth District Council

Contractor: Whittaker Civil Engineering Ltd

Status: Completed 2010

The Te Rewa Rewa Bridge was designed to be iconic in the full and ancient sense of the word. The bridge, with its unique and evocative form, suggests deeper meanings. After opening in June 2010, the structure has exceeded iconic status to become known as a prominent community symbol, drawing visitors from far and wide.

The bridge was skilfully crafted by Novare Design to be contextualized to its site. The resulting structure offers dignity and grace to its setting, while providing unprecedented access to the sacred Rewa Rewa pâ and urupa sites. Not only is it a functional and durable bridge, but many have also referred to it as a serious work of art. The bridge not only makes the physical connection between the two banks of the Waiwhakaiho River, but also a more mysterious connections with the mountain, the sea, and the land.

The Te Rewa Rewa Bridge provides an extension of the popular New Plymouth Coastal Walkway across the Waiwhakaiho River eastward toward Bell Block. The 68.8m single span tied arch bridge is designed to predominately accommodate pedestrian and cycle traffic but is also capable of hosting service vehicles.

The structure itself is constructed from three steel tubes; one arch tube sailing diagonally across a skewed deck and two beneath the deck to form a ladder arrangement with the 19 cross beams. These cross beams emerge from the underside of the deck to become 19 curved ribs connecting the deck to the arch. The deck is aligned to the summit of the sacred Mount Taranaki.

The Te Rewa Rewa Bridge is a stunning example of Novare Design’s ability to design stylish bridges that are both a functional infrastructural asset and an enduring attraction for the community.