The country's first cable-stayed bridge opened on Saturday morning in the South Auckland suburb of Flat Bush.
The Ormiston Road bridge, built over two years, has cost Manukau City ratepayers and the Transport Agency $6.5 million.
The 70 metre long bridge has four traffic lanes, two cycle lanes and footpaths on either side for pedestrians. Its two concrete pylons support nearly 70 kilometres of cabling.
A Manukau City Councillor, David Collings, says the council hopes the bridge will become a landmark.
He says the cost has been controversial, with opponents arguing for a much cheaper culvert instead.
The bridge opened to pedestrians and cyclists on Saturday morning, and will be open to vehicular traffic on Monday.
