PAUA Architects was commissioned by the Perry Charitable Trust to design a thematic concept for the Horotiu cycle and pedestrian bridge on the Te Awa trail River Ride section.

With the form of the bridge in place, PAUA consulted with the Trust, Waikato District Council, and the engineers, and researched Maori and early European history of the area, to create a ‘personality’ for the bridge, using colour, pattern and lighting.

Drawing on the local connection to the flax industry, a super-graphic weave was designed for the deck of the bridge, together with the criss-crossing suspension cables symbolising the bridge as weaving together and strengthening communities on both sides of the river.

PAUA undertook a process of large-scale sampling and 3D rendering to enable the stakeholder team to commit to the final colour palette. The team embraced the strong colour choices, using one of the brightest shades of green possible for the distinctive arches of the bridge. Two tones of green and an intense glow-in-the-dark powder blue weave across the bridge deck, referencing the lush green surroundings of rural Waikato and the expansive skies above.

“The bridge has become an iconic feature on the Waikato River landscape, and the PAUA touches are what take it from just a regular bridge, to something with amazing impact.”

Jennifer Palmer, GM, Perry Charitable Trust.