Despite challenging weather, there was a huge turnout from the community, iwi, Rangitīkei and Manawatū District Councils and the construction teams involved in the project. This is testament to the level of collaboration involved in order to see the bridge opened ahead of schedule.

Mayor Andy Watson and Deputy Mayor Michael Ford acknowledged and thanked the many groups, organisations and individuals involved in making the project a success. Particularly, the community on both sides of the river whose voices kicked the project into gear.

The pou whenua, designed by Maihi Potaka on behalf of Ngāti Hauiti, symbolises the connection and strengthening of the Rangitīkei and Manawatū districts and marks the joining of the district’s people. Ngāti Hauiti representative Utiku Potaka, acknowledged this sentiment in his own whakaaro speaking on the connectedness to the land and to one another.

The old Mangaweka Bridge will have a future as a walking and cycleway and it maintains its historical significance as the only cantilever road bridge left in New Zealand.

The new bridge is now open for light traffic and upon the completion of the approach on the Manawatū side, the bridge will be open to all traffic. This is expected to happen in the next week, weather dependent.