Mohaka Viaduct

Mohaka Viaduct is a steel truss bridge that spans the Mohaka River, rising about 95 meters above the water in northern Hawke's Bay. The structure stretches nearly 280 meters and carries daily train traffic on the Palmerston North-Gisborne Line.

Engineers John Lelliot Cull and William Langston Newnham designed the bridge in 1930, but the Great Depression and the 1931 Hawke's Bay earthquake delayed its completion until 1937. Economic hardship and natural disaster disrupted the project before its eventual finishing.

The structure earned recognition from the Institution of Professional Engineers New Zealand during the country's 150th anniversary celebrations, receiving a commemorative plaque in 1990.

The viaduct sits in a remote area and is best approached on foot from the nearby river valley below. Views from underneath showcase the full height and span of the structure against the sky.

Workers did not assemble the steel components on-site but instead transported prefabricated parts using a cable-way system across the river. This innovative method allowed the massive structure to rise in just seven months.

Location: Wairoa

Location: Wairoa District

Official opening: July 1, 1937

GPS coordinates: -39.04052,177.07373

Latest update: December 11, 2025 18:07