Hundreds turned out to celebrate the official opening of a $19 million, two-way bridge in Taipā on Monday.
![Young kaihoe (paddlers) ready the waka Whakaangi with the new Taipa bridge in the distance. Photo / Peter de Graaf](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/resizer/v2/53BUHISUC5KBGE7FEJL3XU3MSY.jpg?auth=b69081eee9f6cde5d4ecec3139e2a7b61884d8c2d46aa8a0ce644ada2bea8bfa&width=16&height=8&quality=70&smart=true)
![MPs Willow-Jean Prime, Shane Jones, Matt King and Chris Bishop with NZTA Board Northland representative Ken Rintoul (centre). Photo / Peter de Graaf](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/resizer/v2/MCMTWZTC4LCSVENXYH3PXMJEHA.jpg?auth=a0c3b4f1d9888484315bf2b4f914193522ee5c9f5722d1d55ab3fdc42f1ccdf4&width=16&height=11&quality=70&smart=true)
![In the past Wikatana Popata has led land occupations at Taipa Pt - this time he was giving a speech on behalf of Ngai Takoto. Photo / Peter de Graaf](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/resizer/v2/XLJ5G2E6UJ5AZJY4JD4HUDZ3LA.jpg?auth=ad7763e180b41af87bd544abddb1a27e6e83ccc994f910ca2f32ecdbca006c66&width=16&height=24&quality=70&smart=true)
![The Otaua-based waka Ngatokimatawhaorua is put through its paces on Taipa River. Photo / Peter de Graaf](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/resizer/v2/WQFMEVYCM32J7JLGVHMOWKLJ2M.jpg?auth=e5c03bd9bf570d96bcb45f931c569cc97c301ec5df3b748a83afe152f0819400&width=16&height=11&quality=70&smart=true)
Sixteen-year-old Jedidiah Hita from Parapara (centre) performs a haka during the bridge opening ceremony. Photo / Peter de Graaf
Hundreds turned out to celebrate the official opening of a $19 million, two-way bridge in Taipā on Monday.
“Early indications suggest there are critical injuries.”