The swing footbridge, built in 1873-74 and known as the Mandeville Bridge, holds historical significance as the longest-used of all the Waimakariri bridges. Spanning the Kaiapoi River between Raven Quay and Charles Street, the bridge provides a convenient and safe passage for pedestrians to cross the river along Black Street to the west and Davie Street in Trousselot Park to the east. Kaiapoi and the surrounding area have a long and significant history of Māori settlement and habitation. From the mid-19th century, Pākehā missionaries and immigrants settled in Kaiapoi, many arriving as part of the Canterbury Association's settlement program. The Kaiapoi River was one of the main reasons for the town's location. Initially named Gladstone by the planners, the town had a woolen shop, a general store, and a hotel by 1854. It developed into a thriving port, and ships could travel upstream to the