BUILDINGS AT WORK
WORDS: JAMIE DOUGLAS
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At first glance the stone bridge that crosses a small creek between Kohukohu School and the local bowling club green in the tiny settlement overlooking Hokianga Harbour is nondescript; passersby would be forgiven for thinking it’s a culvert. The simple arched stone footbridge, however, is thought to be the oldest surviving bridge in New Zealand. Dating from between 1843 and 1851, this Category 1 structure provided steady, dry footing across the creek and along the thenshoreline for years before it was progressively landlocked into obscurity due to reclamation. For the small Northland community, the bridge has considerable social, historical and architectural significance. And they’re not alone. According to the Department of Conservation, (DOC) New Zealand has more bridges per capita than any other
24 Winter 2018
CROSSING
OVER With New Zealand having more bridges per capita than anywhere else in the world, it’s little wonder these structures hold a special place in the hearts of many Kiwis
country in the world, meaning many of us have one or two personal favourites and our own associated stories to tell. “Bridges in New Zealand and all around the world are appreciated for more than their practicality and engineering prowess,” says Heritage New Zealand Heritage Assessment Advisor Karen Astwood. Karen presented a paper focusing on bridges listed on the New Zealand Heritage List Rārangi Kōrero at the ‘BRIDGE: The Heritage of Connecting Places and Cultures’ conference in the UK in July last year.
Heritage New Zealand
