21 Apr 2023

Wairoa bridge repairs delayed by a month

From Morning Report, 6:49 am on 21 April 2023

The completion of a bridge that would have reconnected Wairoa to Napier has been delayed by a month.

Waka Kotahi is building a bailey bridge across the Waikari River on State Highway 2 between Napier and Wairoa and it is blaming supply problems and poor weather for the month-long delay.

A damaged bridge near Wairoa

Photo: Hawke's Bay Civil Defence

Mayor Craig Little says the community is really struggling and Waka Kotahi should have more people working on the ground.

He spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.