A new suspension bridge up the Hooker Valley at Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park (New Zealand) will open next week – Image: Department of Conservation, DOC
Progress is being made on vital infrastructure for trekking- and hiking-fans in New Zealand: A new suspension bridge up the Hooker Valley at Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park (South Island) will open next week on Tuesday July 28. Meanwhile, on the North Island, concrete is being poured to hold another new suspension bridge on the Tongariro River near Tūrangi in New Zealand’s outdoor mekka, the Tongariro National Park.
The new bridge in the south Island spans 189 metres across the Hooker River. It’s the longest suspension bridge in New Zealand and is an impressive feat of engineering and construction skill.
Aoraki/Mount Cook District Operations Manager Sally Jones says the opening of the new bridge is an incredibly special moment.
“The completion of this project is a significant milestone for Aoraki and a testament to the dedication, skill and commitment of everyone who has helped make this happen,” she says.
The project has cost $4.85 million. The new bridge replaces a much smaller one which closed last April after rainfall and storms caused riverbank erosion.
Construction of the new bridge began in August 2025 and since then mother nature has thrown everything at the building team. Working in a sub-alpine environment, the Abseil Access team and contractors battled 180 km winds and multiple un-seasonal snowfalls.
“Building something of this scale in such extreme conditions is no small achievement, and I am incredibly proud of what our contractors, partners and staff have achieved together. They have created a safer, more resilient crossing that will enhance the visitor experience for generations to come,” Sally says.
The engineer and architect behind the unique bridge design, Dan Crocker, says seeing the bridge finally open is exhilarating.
“It’s not just the longest suspension bridge in New Zealand; it’s the longest single span footbridge of any kind in the country. Getting the opportunity to design a bridge like this in one of our most iconic locations was an amazing experience. I can’t wait to see people crossing it,” he says.
The track up the Hooker Valley is the one of the most popular day hikes in the country attracting hundreds of thousands of visitors each year.
The new bridge in the south Island spans 189 metres across the Hooker River and is the longest suspension bridge in New Zealand – Image: Department of Conservation, DOC
Delivering the ‘deadman’ to Tongariro River bridge
Meanwhile, close to 70 tonnes of concrete has been poured ready to hold a new suspension bridge in place on the lower Tongariro River in Tūrangi, on New Zealand’s North Island.
The existing suspension bridge has reached end-of-life at nearly 70 years old. The Department of Conservation (DOC) has been working with stakeholders to ensure the replacement is fit for the popular Tongariro River Trail.
The bridge has been funded by the International Visitor Levy, where visitors from overseas contribute to caring for New Zealand’s natural environment and visitor experiences. The new bridge is on track to be open by October 2026.
NAN/DOC 22-07-26
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