Local children name city footbridge

A sense of ownership and participation in Civic affairs bears fruit this Friday when a small Nelson footbridge is officially named by local school children.

11 year old Paige Byers and fellow pupils from Central School wanted to see the footbridge across the lower Brook street stream named to reflect its use by students from their own school, nearby St Josephs and NMIT.

They researched the area and made a case to the Hearings Committee of Nelson City Council to have the bridge formally named Te Arahanga Ki Te Mātauranga (the Bridge to Knowledge and Learning).

Hearings Panel Chair, Clr Rachel Reese says it was wonderful to see the delegation taking part in the civic process. “They had put a lot of thought, time and effort into putting their case for the naming of the bridge and how to make it official. It was impressive to see our young citizens actively taking part in the democratic process and displaying such a sense of ownership” Rachel says.

A plaque proudly bearing Te Arahanga Ki Te Mātauranga will be unveiled at a special ceremony on site at 10.30am this Friday 18 June 2010.