The news that a second Harbour Bridge will be constructed for Auckland's pedestrians and cyclists is being met with criticism from disgruntled South Island residents, with some arguing the money would be better spent in flood-ravaged Ashburton.
The $685 million Northern Pathway project was announced on Friday by Transport Minister Michael Wood as part of the Government's New Zealand Upgrade Programme (NZUP) announced in January.
Located on the eastern side of the existing crossing, the new bridge will replace the long-awaited Skypath clip-on.
But the announcement follows days of catastrophic flooding in Canterbury after torrential rain swept the region last weekend, resulting in the closure of the Ashburton Bridge - the primary transport route for southbound travellers.
In the comments of a Facebook post by a local newspaper, the Ashburton Guardian, residents were infuriated by the prospect of a second Auckland bridge.
"Another case of 'NZ ends at the south of the Bombay Hills!'" wrote one woman.
"What a waste of money," said another.
"We are desperately in need of things to be done in the South Island, especially after this week's floods. Why should Auckland get everything."
Regional councillor Megan Hands also chimed in, posting on Twitter that the South Island "could do" with some of the cash so it wasn't "at continual risk of being cut in half".
The weather-beaten Ashburton Bridge, which runs along State Highway 1, has since been reopened after the swirling floods damaged its piles, causing some of the roading to buckle.
