Gentle lazy breezes' lands at Te Hōpua-ā-Rangi historic causeway public space on the on the old bridge alignment

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Ngā Hau Māngere

Isthmus

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  • NZILA Category Winner Transport — 2024
Matthew Von Sturmer artworks based on the kahawai and including the children's engagement text adorn the landings.
Matthew Von Sturmer artworks based on the kahawai and including the children's engagement text adorn the landings.

Ngā Hau Māngere replaces a much-loved asset, after which an entire suburb is named, at the end of its design life and at risk of failure. The old bridge closed to traffic in the 1970’s was wide, generous, and accommodated a mix of active modes, recreational activities and functioned as public space, each contributing value to the local communities. There was a desire for Ngā Hau Māngere to do the same. People have always crossed the Māngere inlet in this location. Mana Whenua artist Sunnah Thompson talked of boards being laid over deeper channels to allow whānau Māori to cross between Te Hopua-a-Rangi and Te Pane o Mataoho. A wooden bridge was built in the 1880’s and the old bridge in 1915. Ngā Hau Māngere is then at least the fourth bridge to span these waters since the tupuna Hape voiced his famous karanga to the Tainui waka as it crossed the Ōtāhuhu portage into the Manukau. Waka Kotahi began engagement with the Māngere Bridge and Onehunga communities in the mid 2000’s and concurrently with Mana Whenua particularly iwi of the Te Waiohua Confederation and via the Tamaki Makaurau Southern Iwi Integration Group. The design was awarded in 2013 with drawings completed by the end of 2015 – a hiatus ensued as the impacts of other proposed infrastructure were considered however with political changes and the closure of the old bridge the construction commenced with Ngā Hau Māngere opening in August 2022.

A play of light, shadow and colour. Bridge sofit patterning designed by Dr. Johnson Witehira, and infill fin colouring conceived by Matthew Von Sturmer with input from the design team. The fish are complimentary.
A play of light, shadow and colour. Bridge sofit patterning designed by Dr. Johnson Witehira, and infill fin colouring conceived by Matthew Von Sturmer with input from the design team. The fish are complimentary.

More than just a bridge, Ngā Hau, Māngere is a public space that sensitively restores the connection across the Māngere Inlet whilst providing a range of public life opportunities that allow the community to engage with the rich landscape it traverses. 

Realised through a collaborative design process including the voices of Mana Whenua, the Community, Artist and Client with Engineer, Urban Designer, Landscape Architect and Architect working as equal partners; the result is a carefully considered and curated journey across land, water and sky. Integrating old and new, adding beauty through a range of new artworks that enrich both the journey and occupation of its spaces through a celebration of place and identity.  Ngā Hau, Māngere sets a benchmark for how transport infrastructure can support the public life of a community.

Isthmus in collaboration with Waka Kotahi/NZTA, Aurecon, Bossley Architects, Johnson Witehira, Matt von Sturmer and MᶜConnell Dowell

Deck colour and furniture help give form to a flexible shared space and open public feel.
Deck colour and furniture help give form to a flexible shared space and open public feel.
A structural arch and vee piers carry the bridge above the tide and restore safe east west passage for more craft.
A structural arch and vee piers carry the bridge above the tide and restore safe east west passage for more craft.
Waka ama make the link on opening day
Waka ama make the link on opening day