New Upokonui bridge opens way for Pipiriki

REVEALED: Judi Treanor and daughter Josephine Haworth unveil the bridge sign. PHOTOS/STUART MUNRO

The last thing stopping Pipiriki people driving downriver to Whanganui was officially removed yesterday.

That obstacle was a washed-out culvert on the Whanganui River Rd between Pipiriki and Jerusalem. It's been replaced by the new Upokonui Bridge, which was opened at 10.45am by Pipiriki kaumatua Bobby Gray.

A crowd of about 60 people were ready to walk across it after the tinsel ribbon was cut.

Kuia Judi Treanor and her daughter Josephine Haworth unveiled the name of the new bridge, and a flock of pigeons was released to fly back to Whanganui.

Speakers at the occasion were Mr Gray, Whanganui Mayor Annette Main, Ruapehu Mayor Don Cameron, Rangitikei MP Ian McKelvie, engineer Stephen Fletcher and Ratana apotoro Rehita Puruhe Smith. The ceremony was followed by an unexpected haka from three Pipiriki boys.

Tommy Treanor, who lives at Pipiriki and controls possums on a block near Jerusalem, said he had been taking that piece of road to get to work on a four-wheeler.

The winter months after June rain washed out all the roads into Pipiriki had been quiet.

"Couldn't do a lot, couldn't go nowhere. We stuck together close as a community."

The new bridge replaces a culvert that didn't fully wash out until July 19, a month after the rains.

It cost $500,000, or $650,000 if related road works were included, Whanganui District Council GHD engineer Stephen Fletcher said.

Access for walkers, cyclists and four-wheelers was maintained while it was built. He said contractors Emmetts, Jilesen and Downer worked overtime and "did the hard yards" to finish it on time and on budget.

Contractors at the site on the first day were met by protesters, and decided to go home. Mr Fletcher said that gave him a sleepless night.

"I did what any wise white boy would do. I looked to the heavens and the gaping chasm in the road, and I called on Rangi and Papa to send me their fiercest warrior, one that will protect us."

Next day he went back and told Pipiriki kaumatua Bobby Gray he was looking for protection. Mr Gray first jokingly suggested a chemist, then went to the bridge and performed a karakia. After that things went smoothly.

The area around Pipiriki was the land of Ngati Kurawhatia, Mr Gray said, and used to be rich in eels and birds. Pipiriki was "the hub of the Maori universe" during the Land Wars, when chiefs would meet there to discuss battle plans. The area around the bridge was named "Upokonui" after a leader whose warriors stopped to rest there.

"Then the tourists came. Then the hotel came. The hotel has now gone. The tourists are still here, and so is Ngati Kurawhatia," Mr Gray said.

Pipiriki people had been patient while their roads were fixed, Whanganui Mayor Annette Main said.

"To have the bridge open now, before Christmas, is just fantastic."

MP Ian McKelvie said it was an amazing performance by Whanganui and Ruapehu councils to get the Whanganui River and Raetihi-Pipiriki roads open so soon after the June rain.

There are still several crews working on the Whanganui River Rd, and stop/go men at two places. A slow and cautious pace is recommended.

But Mr Fletcher said the road would be improved overall when repairs were finished.

"There have been some slight changes in alignment, and bends straightened, and it's been widened in places."