Shereen Parker says the closure of State Highway 39 is “worse than Covid” for her business The Hive in Pirongia.
Shereen Parker is breathing a sigh of relief following news a temporary bridge is expected to be built on State Highway 39 by the middle of the month.
Takings are down two thirds at Country Bakery Café in Pirongia. Photo: Chris Gardner
Parker’s Franklin Street business in Pirongia, The Hive, experienced its worst day on Sunday, two weeks after the Mangati Bridge south of the township became a storm victim.
When traffic was diverted away from State Highway 39, Pirongia businesses saw takings plummet.
Transport minister Chris Bishop confirmed a timeline last week the day after Taranaki-King Country MP Barbara Kuriger inspected the damage across the Waipā and Ōtorohanga districts and promised to advocate for the region.
NZTA plans to install a 40-metre Acrow (Bailey‑style) steel‑framed temporary bridge with a 50‑tonne weight limit slightly upstream of the existing two‑lane bridge.
“Crews have already cleared tonnes of debris from the site, allowing specialist teams to begin work on both the temporary bridge and the permanent replacement,” Bishop said in a statement.
“Council partners and landowners have recognised the urgency of this work and supported it every step of the way.”
“Work is also underway on accelerated design and procurement so construction of the new permanent two-lane bridge can begin later this year,” Bishop said.
Clare St Pierre
Parker heard the news from Pirongia ward councillor Clare St Pierre who had had heard it from The News.
“It’s brilliant news,” Parker said.
She was heartened that the permanent bridge could be rebuilt while the temporary bridge was in operation.
Mountain Folk Café Retreat owner Michelle Richardson described the news as positive and praised Waipā District Council for its advocacy and communication.
Waipā chief executive Steph O’Sullivan said the council hoped to establish a support hub in Pirongia to allow residents to access support from government agencies.
Steph O’Sullivan
Kuriger was given a short list by Waipā mayor Mike Pettit and O’Sullivan when they met her at Pirongia Four Square last Wednesday.
“I will go up and down the corridors of the beehive and keep knocking on doors,” Kuriger said.
Receiving $100,000 from the Government for the Mayoral Disaster Relief Fund was a high priority, O’Sullivan said
Kuriger also visited a bridge on Mangauika Road where Downer Group’s Willy Chester and his team were working on restoring a bridge that had been unpassable since being submerged in a metre of water in the storm.
Kuriger said residents in need did not have to go it alone.
Barbara Kuriger
“Come to the council, come to the local MP. If you need something, just ask,” she said.
Pettit described the announcement as welcome news for the Pirongia community.
“Getting a temporary bridge in place so quickly means people can get back to their normal routines much sooner. We know the last couple of weeks have been tough, and we appreciate everyone’s patience as this work gets underway,” he said.
He acknowledged Minister Chris Bishop and the council’s government partners “for moving so quickly on this”.
“Getting a temporary bridge in by mid‑March is exactly what our Pirongia community needed. It means people can get back to normal much sooner, and we really appreciate the quick action.”
Ōtorohanga mayor Rodney Dow said it was pretty obvious a temporary bridge was required.
“The bridge was smashed,” he said.
Shereen Parker says the closure of State Highway 39 is “worse than Covid” for her business The Hive in Pirongia. Photo: Chris Gardner
