Culvert project receives top international engineering award

The project responsible for the redevelopment of a 50-year-old Far North culvert has taken out a top international engineering award.

The $5 million replacement of an old culvert south of Mangonui into the new Tokatoka Bridge was recently recognised by the Institute of Public Works Engineering Australasia (IPWEA) as part of the 2022 IPWEA NZ Asset Management Excellence Awards. The awards recognise public works projects which have significantly contributed to their local communities.

The SH10 Culvert Replacement Team from WSP, Waka Kotahi NZTA and Fulton Hogan received three awards in total - the Environment and Sustainability Award, Public Works for $2m-$5m Award and the IPWEA Supreme Overall Award.

The upgrade was triggered after it was found the small size (450mm diameter) of the old culvert had been restricting the natural tidal flow, compromising the marine environment.

Since the new Tokatoka Bridge was installed, Waka Kotahi NZTA claimed the tidal flow had been reestablished and the bridge was contributing to a vastly improved ecology in the area.

The project was not without controversy, however, with some local hapū members threatening to shut down the construction site due to claims of a lack of consultation regarding the new bridge’s name.

According to Waka Kotahi NZTA, the agency consulted with Kenana Marae representatives about the name, yet Matarahurahu hapū and Kenana Marae kaumātua Freddie Matthews and Tiger Tukariri claimed this was not the case.

Tukariri and Matthews campaigned to change the name from “Papakawau” to “Tokatoka”, claiming the latter was the rightful name of the area.

In the end, “Tokatoka” was the name given to the bridge.

Stephen Collett, Waka Kotahi transport services regional manager, said an enormous effort had been put

in by many people throughout the agency, which they should be proud of.

Collett said the project was a great example of how work by teams within Waka Kotahi, together with consultants, contractors, and mana whenua could successfully contribute to many community and environmental outcomes.

“Waka Kotahi believes correct procedures and protocols were followed in relation to engagement with mana whenua partners on the project,” Collett said.

“We met with elected representatives of Te Paatu, Aputerewa and Kenana marae at the earliest stages of project development to establish a preferred method of consultation.

“This was agreed to by all hapū representatives.

“Some hapū members, including those who held a peaceful protest on site, held a different opinion about the name and conversations were facilitated between mana whenua.

“Once those conversations were had, mana whenua advised Waka Kotahi of the agreed name for the bridge – which was Tokatoka Bridge.”

The project was funded through the Government’s shovel-ready Crown Infrastructure Partners programme, secured by former Minister for Regional Economic Development Shane Jones.