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"NZTA central South Island area manager Mark Pinner said the agency 'understands' the argument for the bridges being stored on the West Coast, but repeated NZTA's previous stated position.
'Our position is that storing these Bailey or Acrow bridge components in a central location like Christchurch is logistically and strategically the best option for responding to emergencies or disaster events that may occur anywhere in New Zealand'."
#MarkPinner, 2026
(1/?)
Let me guess. This Mark Pinney has been parachuted in from Te Ika a Maui, or from another country. They clearly have no deep understanding of the geography or logistics of Te Wai Pounamu.
Te Tai Poutini is connected to the rest of the island by 3 state highways, and a railway. All of which were put out of commission by heavy rain the last time I was there. The Coast absolutely needs to have the resources to restore its own key transport networks in an emergency.
(2/?)
Storing emergency resources for Te Tai Poutini in Ōtautahi is like storing them for Te Wai Pounamu in Te Ika a Maui. It's shortsighted to the point of incompetent.
(3/3)
"Buller and Westland could also expect between 200 and 300mm of rain, with chances of thunderstorms.
MetService said the warnings meant streams and rivers might rise rapidly, and there could be surface flooding, slips and difficult driving conditions."
The New Zealand Transport Agency warned motorists to prepare for difficult driving conditions."
So ... are they going to move some bailey bridges to Te Tai Pounamu, in case the heavy rain washes out a bridge?
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