Te Rehu O Waikato

‘Te Rehu o Waikato’ (the Mist of Waikato), also known as ‘The Waikato River Bridge’ is a 143m long five span bridge carrying SH1 over the Waikato River. The bridge was built as part of the Ngaruawahia Section (Stage 2) of the Waikato Expressway.
My photograph features one of four Pou whenua which were carved by the master carver of the Waikato-Tainui and his team, and erected near the four corners of the bridge when it was opened in December 2013.

Pou whenua are carved wooden poles and are of major significance for Māori. They acknowledge the association between the people (tangata) and the land (whenua). Specifically, they reflect the relationship between the ancestors, environment, and the reputation or standing of the tangata whenua.

Two more Pou whenua were placed nearby a year or so later, to complement the first four. The one placed beside Lake Areare specifically references the importance of Ngati Mahuta in the lineage of Waikato-Tainui. The other one is in the Kainui wetlands, and acknowledges Te Kahumatuku, and old Pa site by the present day Taupiri Marae. Taupiri (a small mountain at a sharp corner of the Waikato River) is sacred for local Maori, and is an important burial site.
The Waikato River is sacred to mana whenua; consequently bridge piers are not permitted within the watercourse. The Project Team developed a composite steel ladder deck bridge supported on concrete V-shape piers that enabled a significant reduction of the main river span from 75m to 55m without the need for piers in the river. This reduction allowed for an efficient and slender steel superstructure. The tapered concrete V shape piers combine with independent steel ties to create an innovative structural form unique to New Zealand. This elegant and efficient structural form has been further enhanced by incorporating surface patterns reminiscent of traditional Moko (Maori Tattoos), which were developed in close consultation with local iwi artists to help connect the structure to the heritage of its surroundings.
Local mana whenua groups were involved with the design development and had a dawn blessing of the bridge and celebrated the location with two carved Pou whenua at each end to mark the river below to drivers. The bridge was officially opened in December 2013. The public were invited to walk over it, and thenceforth the shared path underneath the bridge is extensively used for cycling as well as by walkers and runners.