The Panmure Basin is connected again, with the new bridge – Te Kōpua o Hiku – signed, sealed and delivered.
The new bridge was opened on Saturday 19 July, following a dawn karakia by Ngāti Paoa.
Te Kōpua o Hiku/The Deep Pool of Hiku refers to the deep pool beneath the bridge, once occupied by Moko-ika-hiku-waru, the lizard-fish with eight tails who is the kaitiaki taniwha of the people of Ngāti Pāoa.
The original bridge – previously called the Jubilee Bridge – was built in 1984 and had been out of service since July 2023, as it had reached the end of its lifespan.
The new replacement bridge was assembled offsite at Pakuranga Road, and was transported and lifted onto site in late December 2024 via a 600-tonne crane, one of the largest mobile cranes in the country.
A bridge for the people
The new bridge is a significant upgrade for the community, and one of the major improvements is the additional width of the bridge.
Te Kōpua o Hiku is three metres wide, compared to the previous bridge width of one metre, making it easier for more people to use the bridge, providing improved connections for walking and cycling.
Auckland Council Programme Manager Vandna Kirmani says it’s a fantastic milestone to have the bridge connection restored.
“We’re really proud of the mahi carried out with getting Te Kōpua o Hiku in use for the community. The Jubilee Bridge was a popular and well-used council asset, but we’ve now got an improved bridge, and have restored this critical Panmure connection.
“This was a challenging and technical project. Building the bridge offsite, and getting it transported to site required a massive team effort and clever coordination, and we’ve also contended with the weather at times, as well as some complex engineering working in a natural environment like the Panmure Basin. A big thank you to the locals for their patience during this time, we hope you enjoy the Te Kōpua o Hiku Bridge.”
New artwork sparkles
Another feature for the bridge is the introduction of art, providing a new and eye-catching element.
The designs acknowledge the enduring presence and rich history of Ngāti Paoa. It is a celebration of resilience, transformation, and renewed tribal abundance, expressed through the collaborative work of lead artist Janine Williams (Ngāti Paoa, Ngāti Whātua ki Kaipara, Ngāti Mahuta) and Shannon Novak (Croatian, Tarara).
Symbols of protection and perseverance are woven throughout the work, honouring the legacy of Mokoia Pā. This wāhi tapu (sacred site) holds the stories and aspirations of a people once known for their significant fleet of waka and flourishing māra kai (food gardens) that sustained generations across this landscape.
Light sequencing at night
Activated by the wind, the artwork’s shifting light patterns create gentle, breath-like movements. These gestures acknowledge tribal entities, including Te Moko-ika-a-Hikuwaru, who arrived with the Tainui Waka.
The lighting transitions from the cool hues of Matariki to warmer tones as the seasons shift, inviting visitors across the bridge and into the living histories of the iwi.
Other new features and improvements for the Te Kōpua o Hiku bridge
- Bridge weight is 320 tonnes –the weight of around 50 elephants
- There are two piles (vertical foundations) that sit 27 metres deep into the ground
- Overall length is 60 metres (same as Jubilee Bridge)
- Width is three metres, the old bridge width was one metre
- There is 380m2 of new pathway
- 430 new plants have been planted in the surrounding area
