Story: Bridges and tunnels

Log bridge

The first bridges in New Zealand were no more than a tree trunk dropped across a stream, like this one painted by Alfred Walsh in 1896.

Using this item

Auckland Art Gallery – Toi o Tāmaki

by Alfred Walsh

Permission of Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki must be obtained before any re-use of this image.

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How to cite this page

Jock Phillips, Bridges and tunnels – The need for bridges and tunnels, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/en/artwork/23619/log-bridge (accessed 4 June 2026).

Story by Jock Phillips, published 10 March 2010, updated 1 August 2024.