Now Te Wiki o Te Reo Māori has come to a close, we wanted to highlight how cultural collaboration improves the design, acceptance and use of bridges.
Reo (language) doesn’t feature much on completed bridges, but by working with iwi in the regions where we are planning bridges, we have incorporated Māori storytelling, art and symbolism into bridge designs.
Wai Kahua Waka Footbridge is one of our most recent bridges. The entire superstructure is shaped into a waka (canoe), and features prow and stern panels designed by Gisborne/Turanganui-a-Kiwa Māori artist Nick Tupara.
Manganui Gorge Suspension Bridge is a massive 100-metre-long footbridge on Mount Taranaki. During the design process we collaborated with Ngāti Ruanui artists to capture the mana (prestige & authority) representative of this iconic location. The mast and the balustrade panels feature distinctive and unique mauri-inspired artworks showcasing the various stages of the avalanche process. One mast also features a taonga gifted by Ngāti Ruanui to invite people onto the bridge.
Toki Poutangata Pedestrian Bridge is a distinct cycle and pedestrian bridge in Westport. A toki poutangata is a ceremonial adze of chiefly authority – a pounamu blade lashed to an elaborately carved handle. This styling has been carried through into the truss design of the bridge structure, with its distinctive tapered shape and green colour, drawing focus to the Buller River. The concept has support from local iwi Ngāti Waewae. It represents strength, mana, bravery and triumph.
And we don’t want to give too much away… but we have also designed a cycle and pedestrian bridge for the Waiohine River in the Wairarapa. Our concept features a distinctive Māori motif at each end, which will make the bridge a landmark in its own right. This design has been developed for Carterton District Council so that they can better understand the best option and costs associated with connecting Carterton with Greytown via cycle and walking trail.
Every single time, we have found that collaborating with local iwi and artists has improved the aesthetics and cultural connection of the bridge design.
