Category: Public Media

Source: Radio New Zealand

Decaying suspension cables have been removed from an historic Manawatū bridge, after one fell into the river below, leaving just two concrete towers standing as reminders of the past.

One of the cables spanning the former Ōpiki toll bridge next to State Highway 56, south of Palmerston North, came down in high winds on New Year’s Eve.

The cable failure was the second in less than two years.

This week, Horizons Regional Council, which now owns the bridge, announced both the bridge’s cables, which were in poor condition, would come down, clearing the path for Manawatū River users and avoiding a costly repair bill.

The removal work finished on Thursday, leaving only the bridge’s concrete pylons remaining.

Horizons central region engineer Paul Arcus said, given the bridge’s importance to the local community and historical value, great care was taken with the removal.

The tension was removed from the cables, before they were cut at each end and then pulled out using heavy machinery.

“We had to create bespoke clamps to hold on to them,” Arcus said. “They’re definitely constructed in a way that wouldn’t be done these days, so we had to get new things created, so we could hold on to them.”

For now, they’d sit in a paddock next to the bridge site, while their future was decided, Arcus said.

Bits of it would likely be given to community groups or other parties that had expressed an interest.

The removal work cost about $70,000, while repair options could have hit about $130,000, without factoring in extra bills, such as for consenting.

“It’s a little bit out of the council’s wheelhouse of what we do as a core activity and we don’t have funding directly related to historic structures.

“I think the council themselves have decided that this is the sensible solution,” Arcus said.

The bridge was built by the Akers family for their flax business in 1918 and the cabling is said to have been secondhand then – sourced from Waihi’s gold mines.

The flax industry collapsed shortly after, but the bridge remained open as a private toll route, until the current state highway bridge opened in 1969.

The suspension bridge’s decking was removed then, but it’s remained as a landmark for commuters for more than 50 years since – albeit one that now looks different.

This week, Clive Akers, who still lives near the bridge, said he was relaxed about the cabling’s removal.

Historic Places Trust Manawatū Horowhenua chairwoman Cindy Lilburn said the trust was saddened to see the cables go from such an iconic structure.

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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand

Source: Radio New Zealand

Bosco the French bulldog, known for ripping it up on his surfboard, returned to the moana in Paihia this Waitangi Day, flying the He Whakaputanga flag before the annual waka celebrations.

Now five years old, Bosco the French bulldog was joined by younger companion Treasure, an 18-month-old French bulldog, who is also learning to ride the waves.

Owner Dylan Bacher said being part of the day was about showing up and supporting the kaupapa.

“Mainly for the youth, mainly just keeping it simple and actually being a part of everything,” he told RNZ. “Seeing the culture and supporting it – keeping that culture real.”

Bosco and Treasure paddled out, as crowds lined the shoreline and kaihoe prepared to launch, with treaty grounds officials telling RNZ about 35,000 people that descended on Waitangi on Friday.

Bacher said the atmosphere on the water was something special.

“Going through with Bosco was amazing, like it always is, and hearing everyone’s supportiveness,” he said.

“Watching the waka come out, that’s just something special to be a part of and actually see from out on the water.”

After coming ashore, the dogs were met with cheers from tamariki and whānau.

“It’s unbelievable how much love these two dogs get,” Bacher said. “The kids especially, we could hear them from the shoreline calling out to us.”

The whānau, known as the ‘Pirate Crew’ or ‘Bosco’s Pirate Life’ on social media, have more than 52,000 followers on TikTok and more than 93,000 likes. Some of their most popular videos of Bosco riding the waves have reached millions of views.

Online, some have jokingly referred to Bosco as ‘Ngāti Kuri’ – a playful nod to the Māori word for dog, and Far North iwi Ngāti Kurī.

“He’s in there supporting everything and little Treasure too,” Bacher said. “She’s learning by watching Bosco and just hopping on the board herself.”

Bacher said he pays close attention to the dogs’ behaviour and only takes them out on the surfboard when they are comfortable.

“You can’t make them do that,” he said. “Bosco just hops on the board himself and now Treasure does too.”

He said the message behind their presence at Waitangi remained the same as in previous years.

“Keep it real, keep supporting each other,” he said. “Waitangi Day is a beautiful day, when everyone is supportive of each other.”

Bacher said coming together under values of aroha (love) and kotahitanga (unity) was especially important for rangatahi.

“The world’s a hard place at the moment and we’ve got to keep making it better for the youth,” he said. “We need to learn to be together, look after the world and respect what we’ve got.”

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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand

Source: Radio New Zealand

A big government project has begun to improve understanding of seismic risks at schools, starting with the Welllington region.

Seismic risk assessments for buildings generally undergo regular shifts in what is required, key in particular was research into the 2016 Kaikōura quake and, more recently, government policy aimed at lightening the costs on owners of quake strengthening.

A Treasury report suggested two tranches of the new school seismic projects were approved in December by the Cabinet, with each worth more than $100 million and each at the stage of a detailed business case.

The Education Ministry confirmed to RNZ it was “undertaking preliminary work to better understand seismic risk across parts of the school property portfolio”.

“This work is focused on improving information and informing future options, and is being considered in stages,” said chief executive for school property Jerome Sheppard.

The two tranches were on a list of 23 big projects from roads to hospital wards to defence housing that totalled more than $25 billion in forecast spending over the next four years.

The two were categorised as medium-to-high-risk investments.

“We are looking first at Greater Wellington, where seismic risk is generally better understood, and where assessment and planning work is more progressed,” said Sheppard.

Several Wellington schools, such as Wellington Girls and Onslow College, have gone through years of angst and disruption for students over earthquake assessments and upgrade projects.

“This work is at an early stage,” Sheppard said. “Wellington schools continue to operate as normal and are aware of the seismic status of their buildings.

“Any future decisions about next steps would be subject to Cabinet consideration.”

Five months ago, the government introduced a new “risk-based” approach to earthquake strengthening to supercede rules brought in after 2016, which it said would save building owners nationwide more than $8.2b.

In 2022, the Building Research Association and the ministry did structural testing into the seismic capacity of buildings commonly used in schools nationwide. This showed that “the buildings are inherently resilient”.

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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand

Source: Radio New Zealand

– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand

Source: Radio New Zealand

SH2 is closed in both directions near Kaitoke, north of Wellington, following a three-vehicle crash this afternoon.

Police said they were notified of the crash at about 4pm. It occurred at the intersection of SH2 and Waterworks Road, between Upper Hutt and the Wairarapa.

Emergency services are at the scene, and the road remains blocked while they respond to the incident.

NZTA Waka Kotahi said people travelling between Upper Hutt and the Wairarapa should delay their journeys, as no local road detours are available.

Motorists are being advised to avoid the area if possible and to check the Journey Planner for the latest travel information.

There was no immediate word on injuries or when the road is expected to reopen.

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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand

Source: Radio New Zealand

Disruptions are creating disruptions and backlogs on two sections of major Auckland motorways – SH1 near Takanini and the northern motorway.

SH1 near Takanini

A crash creating a road hazard and the emergency services response blocked two southbound lanes on State Highway 1, before the Takanini off-ramp, the Transport Agency said.

There was no indication of how long the lanes would be closed for and drivers were advised to allow extra time for delays.

Northern motorway

Further north, all but one lane in both directions of the northern motorway section of State Highway 1 were blocked, due to a vehicle on fire, police said on Saturday afternoon.

The motorway was blocked near Moir Hill Road, as emergency services responded, but one northbound lane was still open.

Motorists were asked to take alternative routes.

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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand