Harbour Bridge

My New Zealand Story

by Philippa Werry

Auckland in the 1950s: a time of rock'n'roll, milk bars, bodgies and widgies and teenage rebellion.

The Auckland Harbour Bridge is under construction. Simon likes watching the bridge being built, and talking to his uncle and his mates about what's happening on site. But everyone says that life on the North Shore will change once the bridge is finished.

Meanwhile, Simon's best friend Marty is obsessed with the Space Race and younger sister Jo can't stop worrying about the fate of the dogs and monkeys that are the world's first space travellers.

The 1950s: a time of change for everyone.

272 pages, Paperback

First published May 1, 2014

Reviews

[Selena · Rating 5 out of 5]

Written through the eyes of a pre teen named Simon, Harbour Bridge gives a very insightful look into North Shore and the building of the Auckland Harbour Bridge in the late 1950's.

Full of all sorts of interesting facts about the build, opening and era this is an excellent read for all ages.

[Jen · Rating 5 out of 5]

very interesting book for me an exAucklander

[Fred C · Rating 4 out of 5]

Relatable and easy to follow formatting wise

[Tom Moffatt · Rating 4 out of 5]

I must confess to not traditionally being too excited by bridges. I mean, it’s a bridge ... get over it! However, Harbour Bridge shows the whole construction process from such a down-to-earth perspective that l now find myself getting a little bit excited when I see an impressive bridge. Just make sure you control yourself if you happen to cross Auckland’s harbour bridge after reading this book. You’ll know so much about it that you’ll actually want to stop the car for a proper look, and we don’t want any accidents!

[Melinda Szymanik · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book very much. As with most (if not all?) My Stories this was written in diary format and the development and unfolding of events specific to the building of the Auckland Harbour Bridge and more generally to life in the late 1950's gently draws you in. The writing is subtle, effective and compelling. There is a wealth of information about the bridge and its construction, about changing life under the inevitable march of progress, and about the space race between the US and the USSR. I was riveted (pun intended) from beginning to end and even shed a tear over the ferries, of all things.