The opening of Hamilton’s sixth bridge fell on the day of Kīngi Tuheitia’s passing, Roy Pilott reports.
Snip in time – Hamilton mayor Paula Southgate and transport minister Simeon Brown cut the ribbon at Friday’s opening.
“As you know, things have changed – but the plan was set, and it’s left for us to carry on.”
Among the many words said from the podium on a day of “incredible sadness” at news of the death of Kingi Tuheitia, those, from the representative of the Whare Ariki – the Māori King’s Royal House – Tame Pokaia – may have best summed up Tainui’s – and the late king’s – unwavering commitment to the region’s development.
Earlier it was a gathering of the grieving for the formal opening and naming of the new bridge over the Waikato River soon after dawn on Friday.
Opening the proceedings, Eric Pene (Ngāti Wairere) acknowledged the king’s passing and politely asked media not to zoom in too closely on faces of those grievers.
Simeon Brown looked on as the name of the bridge – Te Ara Pekapeka – was unveiled amid tears. Such was the timing of his passing, the plaque records the bridge was opened by Kīngi Tūheitia.
Te Ara Pekapeka means pathway of the bat and reflects the consideration that was given in the design of the bridge to protect pekapeka-tou-roa (long-tailed bat) that live in the Peacocke area.
The unveiling of the name of the new bridge – Te Ara Pekapeka – was more emotional because the plaque recorded it has been opened by Kīngi Tūheitia.
The night before, Hamilton endured torrential rain and a violent thunderstorm. At the same time, Tuheitia Potatau Te Wherowhero VII’s whanau farewelled the Huntly born king who had, days earlier, celebrated the 18th anniversary of his coronation at Turangawaewae.
The sixth Hamilton bridge over the river is, and there is no other word for it, stunning. And it is so much more than a bridge. It is the result of a superb collaboration – something which was emphasised repeatedly by speakers.
The bridge itself opens up the next major residential development for Hamilton, the design – certainly compared to its neighbour the Cobham Bridge – is almost from a different planet – and the pathways and gardens around it are worthy of a visit themselves.
See: Bridging the gap
See: Te Ara Pekapeka – by the numbers
See: Out and About – September 2024
One of the many “team photos” taken on the day with Transport Minister Simeon Brown – this one by the plaque bearing the name of the new bridge. Photo: Roy Pilott.
