Blessing marks opening of new bridge

Motorists will get the green light to use a new bridge at Pokapu Road at Ōtiria-Moerewa on Saturday morning (7 October) following a blessing ceremony.

Work started on the $3.5 million bridge at the beginning of the year to better protect the settlements from flooding, with the 60-metre-long bridge allowing waterways to stay in their natural paths instead of flowing across the town’s floodplain. The natural flow had been blocked decades ago with the construction of Ngapipito and Pokapu Roads and Ōtiria’s railroad embankment.

Tomorrow’s ceremony begins at 5am, with the blessing and walk of the bridge at 5.30am. Mana whenua landowners Uncle Sydney and Aunty Emma, Northland Regional Council Kahurangi Chair Tui Shortland, and Far North District Council’s Kōwhai Deputy Mayor Kelly Stratford will be in attendance.

The ceremony will end at around 8.30am with traffic expected to be able to use the new bridge around mid-morning.

Photo: The new bridge on Pokapu Road will help protect Ōtiria-Moerewa from flooding.