It may not rival San Francisco’s Golden Gate for size or fame — but for the people of West Eyreton, Waimakariri’s own historic suspension bridge is every bit as special.
Now thanks to a partnership between the Waimakariri District Council and a passionate local group, the Wolffs Road Footbridge Society Incorporated (WRFSI), this hidden gem is getting a second lease of life.
Perched quietly over the Eyre River, the Wolffs Road Suspension Bridge has long stood as a monument to kiwi ingenuity.
Built around 1948 by local farmer Rudolf Wolff, the bridge once provided vital pedestrian access when nearby river fords were impassable. For decades it served farmers, families, and schoolchildren — a link between communities on either side of the river.
But time has taken its toll. Since the construction of a traffic bridge in the early 1980s nearby at Poyntzs Road, the Wolffs Road bridge has slipped into disrepair.
Despite being listed as a Category 2 Historic Place in 1994, its future has hung in the balance until now.
The Wolffs Road Footbridge Society Incorporated (WRFSI) and the Waimakariri District Council signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in September to work together on the bridge’s restoration.
Under the agreement, Council remains the bridge’s owner, while the Society will take the lead on developing a restoration plan and raising funds, supported by the Council’s technical expertise and oversight.
Council’s involvement is not financial, only involving staff time, but reflects its broader commitment to preserving Waimakariri’s distinctive heritage and supporting sustainable community groups.
For Oxford-Ohoka Ward Councillor Tim Fulton, the restoration has become a passion project.
“Talking to people in the community, there was a real desire to preserve the bridge.
“Society members are determined to honour Rudolf Wolff’s legacy by restoring the bridge much the same way it was built — through donated materials, shared expertise, and local hands-on effort.
“This project is about people coming together to preserve the stories, craftsmanship and character that define our district.”
Council General Manager of Community and Recreation Chris Brown says the project fits well with Council’s community outcomes.
“It’s the people-focused services and projects that turn a district into a community, and we’re pleased to support the community on this project to restore this asset and preserve Waimakariri’s history.”
The Society have fundraising activities planned in the coming year and would welcome donations, offers of help, and new members. To find out more about the project visit the Wolffs Road Footbridge Society on Facebook.
Wolffs Rd Suspension Bridge: A Short History
A traffic bridge across the Eyre River at the site of Wolffs Ford was discussed as early as 1924 but remained unresolved. Instead, residents and travellers had to cross the river at several fords, including one in Wolffs Road.
In September 1938 the Eyre County Council had taken no action, and local farmer Rudolf Wolff decided to take matters in his own hands and built a suspension footbridge slightly upstream of the road ford.
The plans, which are believed to be the same as a bridge over the Mangakahia River in Northland, were checked over by a university professor and smartly utilised available materials.
The towers for the Wolffs Road Suspension Bridge were fabricated from tram rails that had been taken up from Christchurch when the Transport Board made the change from trams to buses. The main suspension cables were purchased from the War Assets Realisation Board.
The bridge, which spans 73 meters, was completed in 1948. It allowed the transportation of goods and people across the river safely when it was in flood and was a critical lifeline piece of infrastructure for many years.
The bridge and land were given to the Eyre County Council by the Wolff family in 1978. Later, in 1983, a car bridge was built on Poyntz Road, on the next ford downstream which led to this unique bit of Waimakariri’s history falling into disrepair.
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