Opiki Toll Bridge: New Zealand’s Historic Flax Industry Connection

Mr. Devotor

The Opiki Toll Bridge, located in the Horowhenua district of New Zealand’s North Island, is more than just an abandoned bridge. Once known as the Tane Swing Bridge, it was the longest suspension bridge ever built in New Zealand when it opened in 1918.  The bridge was constructed to serve the booming flax industry of the Makerua Swamp, which produced almost two-thirds of the nation’s flax fibre at its peak. Before the bridge, flax was transported across the Manawatū River by punts and flying foxes, making the process slow and difficult. The bridge solved this problem, providing a direct connection to the Rongiotu railway station.  Built by self-taught engineer Joseph Dawson, the bridge was 154 meters long and 3.3 meters wide, supported by tall concrete towers and strong steel cables from the Waihi gold mines. It could handle horse-drawn wagons loaded with heavy flax fibre, boosting the local economy.  However, the success didn’t last long. By 1919, flax prices dropped drastically, and soon after, the devastating “yellow leaf” disease wiped out half of the flax plants. By 1922, the flax mills were forced to close, and the Tane Hemp Company went out of business.  One of the shareholders, Hugh Akers, took over and turned it into the Opiki Toll Bridge, charging people for crossing. Over time, the bridge lost its importance as a new concrete bridge was built nearby. Today, only the suspension wires remain as a reminder of its glory days.  This is the forgotten story of the Opiki Toll Bridge—an engineering marvel, a lifeline for an industry, and a landmark of New Zealand’s past.  🔖 Hashtags  #OpikiTollBridge #NewZealandHistory #AbandonedPlaces #HistoricBridges #ForgottenHistory #FlaxIndustry #ManawatuRiver #TravelNewZealand #HistoricalPlaces #SuspensionBridge

Transcript

00:00The Opaiki-Tall Bridge is an old abandoned bridge in Opaiki, in the Ouro-Venua district

00:06of New Zealand's North Island.

00:08It stretches across the Manuatu River and was once very important for local people.

00:13But when the local flax industry collapsed and a new concrete road bridge was built nearby,

00:19the suspension bridge was no longer needed.

00:22Parts of it were taken down and today only its hanging wires remain, reminding everyone

00:27of the important role it once played in the area's economy.

00:31The Makru region, where Opaiki is located, was originally swampy land.

00:36In the late 18th century, the swamp was drained to create farmland.

00:41The lower water level turned out to be the perfect for growing flax.

00:44By 19th century, the area had over 14,500 acres of flax plants.

00:51Soon flax mills were set up along the river banks and the Makru swamp became the biggest

00:56flax growing region in New Zealand.

00:58Between 1910 and 1918, about 30 flax mills were working there, producing almost two-thirds

01:05of the country's total flax fiber.

01:08Once the flax was processed, it had to be taken across the river to the railway station

01:13at Ronyato.

01:14At first, people used a flying fox.

01:17A small platform pulled swamp across by the rope.

01:21When the river was slow, they used a cable drawn punt instead.

01:26But these methods were slow and difficult.

01:28As the industry grew, it became clear that a proper bridge was needed.

01:33In 1915, local land owners and flax investors formed the Tainham Company .

01:39They hired Joseph Dawson, a self-taught engineer, to design the bridge.

01:44Dawson had already designed several bridges in New Zealand and was known for his skills.

01:50The construction began and in 1918, the Tain Swank Bridge was opened.

01:55The bridge was 154 meters long and 3.3 meters wide.

02:00It was held by the two tall concrete towers, 14.6 meters high, with 16 strong cable running

02:07over rollers.

02:08These cables had come from the Vaya gold mines and could carry up to 50 tons of weight.

02:14The wooden deck was strong enough to hold horse-train wagons filled with flax.

02:19At the time, it was the longest suspension bridge ever built in New Zealand.

02:23The new bridge made a big difference.

02:25Flax could now be transported safely and quickly to the railway, helping the industry grow even

02:31more.

02:32But sadly, the good times did not last.

02:34By 1919, flax prices dropped heavily, falling from £70 per ton to just £28.

02:41At the same time, a plant disease called yellow leaf started spreading.

02:45By 1920, half of the flax plants were infected and the mills had to close.

02:51In 1922, the Tain Ham Company went out of the business.

02:56One of the stakeholders, Hugh Akers, brought the other shares and took over the bridge.

03:01He built a small house for a bridge keeper and started charging people a tall to cross.

03:06From then on, the Tain Swing Bridge became known as the Opaiki Tall Bridge.

03:12If you like this video, please comment, share and subscribe.

03:15Thank you very much.

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