News and media
Swing bridge at Te Kuiti
A new bridge across the Mangaokewa Stream completes a loop walk within the Mangaokewa Reserve, and serves as the final departure point out of Te Kuiti for south-bound Te Araroa hikers.
The new swing bridge with three Te Kuiti children, in descending order
Rauin Moriarty, Andrew Buswell and Ethan Moriarty.
Te Araroa Waikato Trust put the bridge in as part of the 14-km Te Araroa walkway from Mangaokewa Reserve through to Mangaokewa North Road.
The two to three hour loop walk begins at the Mangaokewa Reserve, 1.5 km south of Te Kuiti. It follows a limestone gorge hung with stalactites, through tall podocarp remnant forest. The forest has been groomed over years by a local group, Project Manu, to rid it of predators and encourage native bird species.
The funders for the bridge, two adjacent picnic tables, and the walkway through to Mangaokewa North Road were Lottery Grants Board, Sky City Hamilton, The Employment Initiatives Fund, Environment Waikato's Environmental Initiatives Fund, and the Waitomo District Council. The bridge contractor was Dan Bustard Ltd.
