The bridge, designed by Martin Knight, reflects maritime and Maori themes and features a lifting platform that resembles a bone fish hook or the prow of a waka – a Maori canoe.

The design & build team is McConnell Dowell/Transfield JV as main contractor, Peters & Cheung (structural engineer), Knight Architects, Eadon Consulting (mechanical engineer), Speirs & Major Associates (lighting designer) and Northern Civil as highway engineer.

The design was unveiled in late 2011.