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Maoribank suspension bridge; ('Whiteman's Bridge').
History
HistoryFrank and Frederick (Whiteman brothers) and Charles Whiteman and W A Cottle organized the building, to give access to their farms on what is now Totara Park. The Whitemans paid half the cost, in exchange for a right to cross Cottle land to get to the bridge. The bridge was designed by Joseph Dawson, of Khandallah, and George McGhie made all the ironwork in his small forge; he lived on the east (south?) side of the river.
The bridge was opened February 1917 by Thomas Wilford, M. P. It had cost £1700 ('Leader, September 25, 1988); an annotated photograph says £1450. It was designed to carry any vehicle on the public roads of the time, according to George Cottle, who was six in 1917. During the building of Totara Park, 14-ton concrete trucks had crossed the bridge, but the decking had been damaged. It was closed to vehicles in 1975, after the opening of the Totara Park Road bridge. The council had declared it unsafe in 1975, with nuts ion the hangers badly corroded or missing, and holes in the decking covered by steel plates.
Articles on September 30 and October 7 were triggered by a legal dispute over Cottle land on the north side of the river road and possible residential development; the council's designation as esplanade or river berm precluded development of the 20-metre strip and affected the land's value, were the council to buy it. Viv Cottle, son of the builder, was prepared to donate the ridge to the city as a memorial to his father. It was uncertain whether the Whiteman family still had rights to cross the land between Totara Park and the bridge.
The bridge had been marked as unsafe early in 1986, and some repairs were carried out in 1987.
On September 14, 1988, a day after a major flood, the foundations of the upstream tower of the south end slumped, and the bridge collapsed into the water; the extra strain damaged the north tower.
The bridge was closed, and would have to be at least partly demolished. It would be closed; members of the public had been seen trying to cross it. Deck materials would be saved, for possible use should the bridge be rebuilt. The south tower would be removed, and the bank battened to stabilize it. This initial work would cost around $20 000.
Mr John Pirika regularly dived off this bridge. Although he was in his 60s he used to climb up the cable, on the Maoribank side. Once he reached the top of the pillar on the right hand side of the bridge he would dive into the water and swim underwater for about 35 metres until he was out of the sight of the bridge. Although regular swimmers knew what was coming, new visitors to the area would be very concerned for his safety. Once out of sight of everyone Mr Pirika would then climb up to a path and walk back to his home in Fergusson Drive. In 1992 as a young boy Raz Peka followed Mr Pirika up the cable. It wasn't until they were near the pillar that Mr Pirkia became aware of his young follower and both of them realised there was no room for two to stand on the tiny platform. "Stupid little bugger, what are you going to do now" he exclaimed. At that point Raz just let go and fell back into the water. Mr Pirika did a swan dive in at the same time and both were safe. (Memories provided by Raz Peka.)
When Bruce Hanson worked for his father-in-law Jack Hamilton of W.J. Hamilton Ltd, general carriers, in the early 1960’s, Bruce used to cart fertiliser over this bridge for the 3 farms. Bruce also used to pick up bales of hay that was made on the farms and take it to the farmer’s storage area. Bruce has vivid recollections of negotiating an 8-ton truck on to the bridge as it was very hard getting on to the bridge from the Upper Hutt Main Road side. When the truck was on the bridge, the bridge would wave up and down in front of you as you drove across!
The bridge was opened February 1917 by Thomas Wilford, M. P. It had cost £1700 ('Leader, September 25, 1988); an annotated photograph says £1450. It was designed to carry any vehicle on the public roads of the time, according to George Cottle, who was six in 1917. During the building of Totara Park, 14-ton concrete trucks had crossed the bridge, but the decking had been damaged. It was closed to vehicles in 1975, after the opening of the Totara Park Road bridge. The council had declared it unsafe in 1975, with nuts ion the hangers badly corroded or missing, and holes in the decking covered by steel plates.
Articles on September 30 and October 7 were triggered by a legal dispute over Cottle land on the north side of the river road and possible residential development; the council's designation as esplanade or river berm precluded development of the 20-metre strip and affected the land's value, were the council to buy it. Viv Cottle, son of the builder, was prepared to donate the ridge to the city as a memorial to his father. It was uncertain whether the Whiteman family still had rights to cross the land between Totara Park and the bridge.
The bridge had been marked as unsafe early in 1986, and some repairs were carried out in 1987.
On September 14, 1988, a day after a major flood, the foundations of the upstream tower of the south end slumped, and the bridge collapsed into the water; the extra strain damaged the north tower.
The bridge was closed, and would have to be at least partly demolished. It would be closed; members of the public had been seen trying to cross it. Deck materials would be saved, for possible use should the bridge be rebuilt. The south tower would be removed, and the bank battened to stabilize it. This initial work would cost around $20 000.
Mr John Pirika regularly dived off this bridge. Although he was in his 60s he used to climb up the cable, on the Maoribank side. Once he reached the top of the pillar on the right hand side of the bridge he would dive into the water and swim underwater for about 35 metres until he was out of the sight of the bridge. Although regular swimmers knew what was coming, new visitors to the area would be very concerned for his safety. Once out of sight of everyone Mr Pirika would then climb up to a path and walk back to his home in Fergusson Drive. In 1992 as a young boy Raz Peka followed Mr Pirika up the cable. It wasn't until they were near the pillar that Mr Pirkia became aware of his young follower and both of them realised there was no room for two to stand on the tiny platform. "Stupid little bugger, what are you going to do now" he exclaimed. At that point Raz just let go and fell back into the water. Mr Pirika did a swan dive in at the same time and both were safe. (Memories provided by Raz Peka.)
When Bruce Hanson worked for his father-in-law Jack Hamilton of W.J. Hamilton Ltd, general carriers, in the early 1960’s, Bruce used to cart fertiliser over this bridge for the 3 farms. Bruce also used to pick up bales of hay that was made on the farms and take it to the farmer’s storage area. Bruce has vivid recollections of negotiating an 8-ton truck on to the bridge as it was very hard getting on to the bridge from the Upper Hutt Main Road side. When the truck was on the bridge, the bridge would wave up and down in front of you as you drove across!
Photos
Ephemera
Location
DescriptionSingle-span one-lane suspension bridge, 170 feet (52 metres) span, crossing Te Awa Kairangi / Hutt River; twin linked concrete towers at either end; concrete deck. Side rails of angle iron were not present in 1931; they had been added by 1932.
Suspension bridges are prone to oscillation; this may account for the common (incorrect) 'swing bridge' description. Troops are often told not to march in step on such bridges.
Suspension bridges are prone to oscillation; this may account for the common (incorrect) 'swing bridge' description. Troops are often told not to march in step on such bridges.
Details
Established1917Ceased1988
Ceased1988loading google map....
Maoribank suspension bridge; ('Whiteman's Bridge').. Upper Hutt Libraries, accessed 03/05/2026, https://uhcl.recollect.co.nz/nodes/view/26254