Welcome to one of New Zealand's most recognizable bridges
Within one year of being opened in 2013, it had won two international awards, four national awards and received commendations for several other. It also wasn't long before it started featuring in television advertisements and I find no matter where in the country I travel, people know which city this bridge is from.
Te Matau a Pohe translates as the Fish hook of Pohe and this is indeed what it looks like. The bridge is 265 metres long and the lifting bascule section weighs in at 390 tonnes. Each of the upright arms tower 19 metres above deck level and contain 67 tonnes of counter weight. On display at GZ is some of the engineering involved with rows of large metal lugs that slot into recesses in the arms to make sure the bascule stays straight and true whilst lifting. A full open and close cycle takes between 5 and 7 minutes and is well worth stopping to watch if you get the opportunity.
Te Matau a Pohe along with several other bridges has allowed the formation of the
Hatea Loop Walkway - Huarahi o te Whai - The Pathway of Opportunity
This 4.2 km long multi use trail is suitable for walkers of all ages, cyclists and wheelchairs. It can be joined or left at many locations, so parking should not be a problem. To claim this cache, I would like cachers to visit Te Matau a Pohe and a couple of nearby points of interest on the western side of the Hatea river.
Feel free to continue on around the Hatea Loop Walkway and take in all the sights on your walk. There are numerous sculptures, artworks and information stands that give details about the early history of the inner Whangarei harbour.
Your tasks before logging this Virtual
Take a walk out across Te Matau a Pohe to the lifting bascule section at GZ.
There you will see some of the engineering that makes this special bridge work. There is a long row of large steel lugs that ensure the arms stay straight and true during the lift cycle. Two of the lugs are different from all the others
At GZ, how many standard lugs are there between the two that are different?
Also, whilst you are on the bridge, locate the dedication plaques on the northern side at the western end, at Waypoint 3. What is the word immediately below "Whangarei", the first time that Whangarei appears on the right plaque?
Waypoint One is near the sign board that gives information about Te Matau a Pohe. Whilst reading the sign, you will notice 10 metres behind you an interesting rusted steel sculpture with stencil cut wording.
At Waypoint One, what word on line five on the steel sculpture, describes the tide?
Now head off to Waypoint Two, where you will notice an interesting jetty with very brightly painted railings. Initially, the railings look like they are the same colour, but closer inspection will confirm that they are actually different.
Your photo task for this cache, is to take a photo of yourself ( mugshot optional ) or an essential piece of your geocaching equipment, FROM SOMEWHERE ON THIS JETTY. The photo can be of the view of your choice, but must include a small piece of the coloured railings, somewhere in the photo. Do not send this photo with your answers, just include it with your online log..
Whilst doing this Virtual Cache, you may also like to consider doing Whangarei's first Adventure Lab trail. See details on the final bonus cache, GC8GFJ5 or follow this link - https://labs.geocaching.com/goto/HateaLoop .... You will need to download the free app to be able to do the Adventure Lab trail.
Logging this Virtual
Please do not include any of the answers in your online log. After you have emailed or messaged your answers to the cache owner, feel free to log this Virtual. There is no need to wait for confirmation. Please include the name of this virtual cache in the email.
Note: Be aware though, that any online finds without proof of actually visiting GZ and the other waypoints, may be deleted without notice.
Virtual Rewards 2.0 - 2019/2020
This Virtual Cache is part of a limited release of Virtuals created between June 4, 2019 and June 4, 2020. Only 4,000 cache owners were given the opportunity to hide a Virtual Cache. Learn more about Virtual Rewards 2.0 on the Geocaching Blog.