World War 1 Resources

Troops crossing Maoribank Bridge, c.1917

Photograph of a company of troops crossing the recently built Maoribank suspension bridge. This appears to be an example of new recruits at Trentham camp undertaking training manoeuvres around the Upper Hutt district.

The Maoribank Bridge was a privately owned and constructed bridge built by the Cottle and Whiteman families who farmed the land across the river from Maoribank. The purpose of the bridge was to make it easier for them to transport milk to Upper Hutt. The bridge, which cost 1600 pounds to build, was opened with much fanfare by the local MP in February 1917. The site became a popular swimming hole and picnic spot with day-trippers who, during the 1920s and '30s, came in large numbers from as far away as Wellington to enjoy the picturesque setting. In the late 1960s the farmland visible in this picture was subdivided and turned into the new suburb of Totara Park. While the location remained popular with swimmers, ongoing repair of the bridge was neglected, and it eventually collapsed in 1987.