Rebuilding Owāhanga Suspension Bridge after Cyclone Gabrielle

In the aftermath of Cyclone Gabrielle, the Owāhanga Suspension Bridge collapsed, severely impacting Owāhanga Station’s farming operations and the on-farm community's access to essential services and resources. The bridge was less than 10 years old and serves the southern end of Owāhanga Station.

Owāhanga Station is one of the largest single holdings in the Wairarapa, encompassing 7,211 hectares and grazing 22,000 stock units. It takes an 18 kilometre strip of coastal country between the Aohanga River and Mataikona, fronting onto the coast for most of that distance. It is one of a few properties that has been Māori owned throughout history. 

The Committee of Management (CoM) are elected by the proprietors of Owāhanga Station (the Shareholders) at an AGM. During their tenure, the CoM also fulfil their responsibility as Pāpāuma Marae Trustees.

Professor Regan Potangaroa from Massey's School of Built Environment stepped up to assist the Aohanga Incorporation with a Tiriti-based approach to rebuilding the bridge, respecting Māori values, culture and traditions. Together with Candy Carroll, Demetrius Potangaroa and Eli Carroll, work was undertaken to assess the damage, develop a plan and rebuild the bridge.

The first questions asked were whether any of the damaged materials could be saved, should the bridge be built in its same location and what the alternatives might be.

Professor Potangaroa used drone technology to map the area and assess the bridge from the banks, spending several days assessing the site, gathering data and working closely with the Aohanga Incorporation CoM to understand the cause of the bridge collapse. He also engaged in discussions with the original designers and contractors to estimate costs towards constructing a new bridge.

The replacement bridge will use a kaupapa Māori design by incorporating several elements that reflect Māori culture, values and traditions, such as:

• Whakapapa connections to tipuna (ancestors) and pūrākau (history, stories). The bridge would be designed to reflect the whakapapa or genealogy of the local area, using traditional designs and patterns to honour the people who have lived there for generations
• The awa (river) is an essential element to Māori, representing life and the connections between people and taiao (environment). This would be woven into the design. The bridge would be designed to incorporate the Mātaikona River it crosses, using sustainable materials and patterns that reflect the wai and its significance to whānau/hapū
• Pou manawa or carved posts are often used in Māori architecture to represent tīpuna or significant events. A bridge could incorporate carved pou at either end, acknowledging the history and traditions of the whānau/hapū of Aohanga and the local rohe of Aohanga and Mataikona
• Māori culture has specific kawa and tikanga (protocols and practices) that govern social interactions and relationships. With these in mind, the bridge could be designed to identify significant sites of ceremonial and cultural practices of the whānau/hapū of Aohanga
• Matauranga Māori is a crucial aspect of Māori culture and could be incorporated into its structure. For example, using specific materials or construction techniques that lighten and enhance its suspended form
• Te Reo Māori is an essential part of Māori culture and identity. Incorporating Te reo Māori signage or names will encourage and preserve the language within the local community.

These concepts could be included in the new bridge at minimal to no cost to the overall structure by selecting alternatives that will enhance the Southern entrance to Owāhanga Station.

The collaboration between the School of Built Environment, Aohanga incorporation and Owāhanga Station exemplifies the importance of Tiriti-based principles of building strong relationships and achieving shared goals, but also the vital role of whānau/hapū engagement and participation in its re-development.