It’s a great place, the Hokianga.... but there are some problems getting around. Once there were many boats on the river and a few muddy roads. The roads are mostly better now and the river divides communities rather than joining them. Recently some people have again been pushing for the building of “a bridge” to be included in the Northland Regional Council 30 year plan. We are a group of friends from North and South Hokianga who want to make some things clearer, and make some practical suggestions.
Many of us seek better access to other parts than we have at present: people in East Hokianga, especially, are cut off from North and South and need a better deal. Also, the present ferry is expensive, infrequent and stops operation too soon in the evening.
There are many questions: whether there should be one bridge or two, the position of a bridge or bridges, whether there would be bridge tolls, whether the ferry would still run, and of course what routes would be built to connect with the bridges.
There is also the question of funding the enormous sum that bridges and roading would cost. Central Government would fund them only in part, if at all, and local government would have to borrow large sums of money to finance construction, with a very heavy rate burden on local people. The bridges would most probably carry a toll charge.
This website tries to show you what the possibilities and difficulties are. It needs some thought!
Many of us seek better access to other parts than we have at present: people in East Hokianga, especially, are cut off from North and South and need a better deal. Also, the present ferry is expensive, infrequent and stops operation too soon in the evening.
There are many questions: whether there should be one bridge or two, the position of a bridge or bridges, whether there would be bridge tolls, whether the ferry would still run, and of course what routes would be built to connect with the bridges.
There is also the question of funding the enormous sum that bridges and roading would cost. Central Government would fund them only in part, if at all, and local government would have to borrow large sums of money to finance construction, with a very heavy rate burden on local people. The bridges would most probably carry a toll charge.
This website tries to show you what the possibilities and difficulties are. It needs some thought!
Let us know your opinion.
We must make travel easier for local people, who need to visit whanau and friends on both sides and also have easy access to the Hospital at Rawene.
Tourists must be able to continue on the Twin Coast Discovery Highway and enjoy both sides of the harbour. There are many small enterprises on both sides which rely on the tourist trade. And what would you do to connect people in the East Hokianga? The projected Cycleway is supposed to start at Horeke, not really easy to get to.
Where should we plan to put our bridge or bridges? Remember, they must have roads connecting to them, without hills that are too steep! We have quite a lot on this website which you may not have thought about. Have a look at everything. There’s some YouTube videos of cable ferries that may surprise you: cable ferries use far less fuel than conventional ones. Click “Ferries” below.
If you want a more detailed version go to this Google map.
Tourists must be able to continue on the Twin Coast Discovery Highway and enjoy both sides of the harbour. There are many small enterprises on both sides which rely on the tourist trade. And what would you do to connect people in the East Hokianga? The projected Cycleway is supposed to start at Horeke, not really easy to get to.
Where should we plan to put our bridge or bridges? Remember, they must have roads connecting to them, without hills that are too steep! We have quite a lot on this website which you may not have thought about. Have a look at everything. There’s some YouTube videos of cable ferries that may surprise you: cable ferries use far less fuel than conventional ones. Click “Ferries” below.
If you want a more detailed version go to this Google map.
Connecting Communities
Hokianga
Harbour
Committee
Harbour
Committee