Whangarei District Council’s 20-year road improvement project, beginning in 1996, is now in its final stages. The Lower Hatea River Crossing, the only bascule bridge in New Zealand, was officially named 'Te Matau a Pohe', ‘The Fishhook of Pohe’.

The structure is designed to be recognisable by day and night, addressing the congestion in the city centre and as a a symbol of the local character and culture of Whangarei.

The 265m tidal river estuary crossing was recently filmed capturing its breathtaking formation and unique structure.

 

Martin Knight, Director of Knight Architects said: ‘We are bridge specialists but also bridge enthusiasts and having the opportunity to work on a bridge typology that is relatively rare was an exciting and enjoyable challenge. Successful structures reinforce the identity of a place and inspire people to take pride in their location. 

Courtesy of Knight Architects

Courtesy of Knight Architects

Courtesy of Knight Architects

‘We learned a lot about long distance communication and innovative methods of designing and we are now bringing the new systems developed within the office for Lower Hatea River Crossing to our other new projects to great effect.’

The design intelligently combines function and form with engineering and architecture that Whangarei residents are proud to call one of their own.