Kākaunui Bridge ceremonially opened
Published on 10 April 2026
A farewell to the 1899 bridge and blessing and ribbon cutting of the new bridge.
The 126-year-old Kakanui Bridge was farewelled as the ceremonial opening of its replacement took place this week, the Kākaunui Bridge.
The Kākaunui Bridge is part of the State Highway 1 resilience route and, following lobbying from the Mayor and Councillors in the past, was included in NZTA’s projects list. Waitaki District Council funded 43% of the $11.06 million budget, with NZTA providing the other 57%.
This project has been delivered three months ahead of schedule, and is on track to under-spend around $1 million.
Mayor Mel Tavendale was joined by The Hon Chris Penk, Minister for Building and Construction, for a ribbon cutting ceremony which followed a whakawatea, a farewell to the old bridge and a blessing of the new bridge by Mani Molloy-Sharplin of Te Rūnanga o Moeraki.
Mayor Tavendale acknowledged Ngāi Tahu, and in particular Te Rūnanga o Moeraki, as kaitaki of the whenua and the Kākaunui river – and thanked Minister Penk and NZTA for the Government’s partnership funding role in delivering the new bridge.
“We can be proud that the Kākaunui Bridge project has been delivered on time and under budget — a significant achievement for a project of this scale and complexity. That outcome reflects strong planning, careful decision‑making, and a collaborative effort between Council, Waka Kotahi, contractors, and the project team.”
Mayor Tavendale also thanked former Corriedale Ward Councillor Guy Percival for his long-standing commitment as Council’s representative on the Regional Transport Committee, “This project was taken off and put back on Waka Kotahi’s work programme numerous times, and I believe that Guy’s unwavering advocacy helped get it back on the agenda and has helped to get us here today.”
She also thanked former Mayor Gary Kircher for his leadership and support of the project.
“And most importantly, thank you to the Kakanui community for your patience, input, and support throughout this journey.”
Minister Penk, Building and Construction, praised the project and local MP Miles Anderson:
"My colleague and friend MP for Waitaki Miles Anderson is a staunch advocate for the area's needs in Wellington, and of course what better advertisement could there be for an area than to keep delivering projects either on time or ahead of time and either on budget or ahead of budget. All around New Zealand, I can tell you that's not always the case and so to make an argument for increased investment in places like this, with a strong track record of delivery, means that you have a point strongly in your favour for the next projects that get advocated for and the next ones after that."
"Please know that my presence here symbolises on behalf of government that we are delighted that you have worked so hard in this place to get on and do the work. And then my final point is to acknowledge the connection between those who make decisions for work to be done and those who actually get on and do it. So I do want to acknowledge those who have contributed to the success of the project and a very literal and concrete way, including Concrete Structures New Zealand Ltd, no pun intended, Whitestone Contracting Ltd, as well as of course, New Zealand Transport Agency, Waitaki District Council and Te Runanga o Moeraki, as well as of course, all the local community"
Around 100 locals, and representatives of the construction team and NZTA, attended the ceremony. Dawn Sutherland, a direct descendant of Waitaki County Council Chair Mr D. Sutherland who opened the old bridge in 1899, was also recognised by Project Manager Mike Harrison. Ms Sutherland lives overlooking the bridge site, and has kept a keen eye on the progress of replacing the old bridge.
The new Kākaunui Bridge, constructed by Concrete Structures NZ Ltd, is a 100-year replacement for the timber bridge which has spanned the Kakanui River since 1899. This is the third bridge to be built at this location, with the soon to be deconstructuted 1899 Kakanui bridge itself a replacement for an 1871 bridge.
Kākaunui is the Ngāi Tahu name for the area, anglicised into Kakanui which unfortunately translates as "Big Poo". Kākaunui translates as 'Big Heart" and is also the name of a crew member of the Āraiteuru waka ātua, which travelled down the coast as part of the Ngāi Tahu pūrākau or story about Te Waipounamu. Kākaunui left the waka and transformed into the river, giving the river and its surrounds their name.
ENDS
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