A $3 million footbridge over the Kerikeri River is proving a hit with visitors.
The bridge next to Kemp House and the Old Stone Store, New Zealand's oldest buildings, was removed last year to reduce flooding.
Rewa's Village, a replica pa on the other side of the river, had been cut off from the top tourist attractions since then and suffered a drop in visitor numbers.
Jenny Sorenson, a volunteer at Rewa's Village, says since the bridge opened just before Christmas the link has been restored, along with the foot traffic.
The narrow, single span bridge is an attractive structure and an asset to the historic precinct, she says.
