Te Ara Pekapeka

Our group of local designers, artists and fabricators worked together to create a functional and creative expression of a people who live by the river; both the people of our time and those of the time before us. The project has two distinctive components. Te Ara Pekapeka – a 200m weathering steel bridge which traverses the Waikato River, connecting Hamilton city to the newly planned city development. Secondly, the Taurapa bridge, a pedestrian footbridge approximately 70m that maintains the continuity of the Waikato Te Awa River Trail. The bridge stands as a testament to collaboration, weaving together cultural narratives and using contemporary design to create a landmark that uplifts and unites the community. Te Ara Pekapeka is more than infrastructure; it is a cultural and environmental tribute inviting all who cross to experience the beauty and spirit of Kirikiriroa.