Several interesting suggestions were made - from Made in China and Long Awaited Bridge to Beiber Bridge and The Hinge on Hatea - but Whangarei's newest structure is likely to get a Maori name befitting its status next week.
The new $32million bridge across Whangarei Harbour has passed its first
major test, its bascule (lifting platform) fully opening on the first try last week and the bridge is due to be officially opened on July 27.
The Whangarei District Council called on the public to suggest names for the bridge and associated road and the bridge name will be chosen at a meeting of the council's infrastructure and services meeting on Wednesday before being adopted by the full council.
The council received more than 91 suggestions for the bridge name, including Made in China, Long Awaited Bridge, Beiber Bridge, The Hinge on Hatea, Gallipoli Parade Bridge, William Fraser Bridge, David Culham Bridge, Springford Bridge, Manaia Gateway Bridge, Terenga Paraoa, Kai Ora Taniwha and Kauae (Jaw) Bridge.
As part of the submission process, the council also consulted iwi representatives, who came up with the name Te Matau a Pohe - the fish hook of Pohe - as their preferred choice. The bridge Project Control Group has recommended that Wednesday's meeting chooses Te Matau a Pohe as the bridge's official name, saying it "best represents the historical and cultural interests of the site and relates particularly to the design and theme of the bridge structure".
