Historic Ōpiki Bridge Loses Cables as Heritage Future Hangs in Balance

The iconic Ōpiki Bridge, a testament to New Zealand's pioneering spirit and industrial heritage, faces an uncertain future as Horizons Regional Council removes its deteriorating suspension cables this week. The decision follows repeated cable failures that have transformed this Category 1 heritage structure from a functioning landmark into a safety hazard.

Standing sentinel over the Manawatū River flats since 1918, the bridge represents a unique chapter in Aotearoa's transport history. Originally constructed to serve the Akers family's flax business, it evolved into New Zealand's first private toll bridge when the flax industry collapsed, operating until 1969 when the current State Highway 56 bridge replaced it.

A Bridge Between Eras

For nearly five decades, the Ōpiki Bridge served as a vital link for communities, charging motorists loose change to avoid lengthy detours between Palmerston North and Foxton. The bridge's operation was remarkably personal, with toll keepers living onsite like lighthouse keepers, always on call for travellers.

Clive Akers, whose family built the bridge, recalls the human stories that defined its operation. "I remember as a teenager, when the toll keeper had his day off, myself and one of my siblings would operate the toll for half a day," he said. "Cars would trigger a bell by running over an air pipe, and from the other side, you'd hear them rattle the loose boards since suspension bridges move and the planks couldn't be nailed down."

The bridge's busiest days coincided with Saturday horse racing, when traffic would surge across the 150-metre span. By its final years, the toll stood at 10 cents for vehicles under three tonnes, with triple charges for night crossings when the barrier arm was down.

Heritage at Risk

The current crisis began on New Year's Eve when strong winds snapped cables already weakened by decades of exposure. This marks the second major failure in just over two years, highlighting the ongoing deterioration of this heritage asset.

Cindy Lilburn, chairwoman of the Historic Places Trust Manawatū Horowhenua, emphasises the bridge's cultural significance. "It stands alone in a very flat landscape with a certain spookiness that's been suggested for film use, rising out of the morning mist. It is such a landmark," she said.

The trust had advocated for long-term preservation solutions, suggesting new cabling could support the historic cables. However, Horizons Regional Council's decision to remove both cables simultaneously reflects practical and financial constraints.

Balancing Heritage and Safety

Dr Jon Roygard, the council's general manager of catchment operations, acknowledged the difficult balance between heritage preservation and public safety. "The broken cabling remains a hazard in an area used for jet boating," he explained. "Removing both cables simultaneously is more cost-effective than staged removal."

The cables, reportedly sourced from Waihi's gold mines, will find new homes with the Historic Places Trust and the Akers family, ensuring these historic elements remain connected to the community.

A Changing Landscape

The cable removal dramatically alters the bridge's visual impact, leaving only concrete pylons against the Manawatū skyline. For Akers, whose living room window frames this view, the change is bittersweet but pragmatic. "There aren't many people now with actual memories of crossing the bridge. It closed over 50 years ago," he reflected.

This transformation raises broader questions about heritage preservation in a nation grappling with aging infrastructure and limited resources. The Ōpiki Bridge's story reflects New Zealand's evolution from colonial enterprise to modern state, embodying themes of innovation, community resilience, and the ongoing tension between progress and preservation.

As the cables come down, the bridge's legacy continues through community memory and historical documentation, including Molly Akers' book "Suspended Access." While its physical form changes, the Ōpiki Bridge remains a powerful symbol of New Zealand's capacity for practical innovation and community cooperation in challenging landscapes.