Morning Headlines | Forest fires in Te Haroto and Wairarapa, and advisory group seeks to drive reform in aged care | Monday January 12, 2026Residents, tour operators and recreational users have been cut off from a popular tourist area north of Queenstown after the only bridge access route was closed indefinitely due to serious structural failures. Queenstown Lakes District Council (QLDC) confirmed the continued closure of Skippers Bridge, Skippers Canyon, after an inspection late last year found failures of the wires in the cables used to support the bridge, meaning it is currently unsafe for any load. Roger Davidson, the council’s acting general manager property and infrastructure, said the closure would have a significant effect on the community, but that public safety had to come first. The future of Skippers Bridge will be considered by elected members. Photo / File“Investigations found failures of the wires in the cables used to suspend Skippers Bridge in place, which means we’ve been unable to safely assess what load the bridge can currently support and its integrity,” he said.

Source: New Zealand Herald January 11, 2026 22:07 UTC