Recreation
Accessibel App
Planning your next outdoor adventure has been made easier thanks to the app Accessibel which helps understand the accessibility of walkways, waterways, and cycleways in Aotearoa.
Developed by the Halberg Foundation, the Department of Conservation and Sensibel, Accessibel is an app launched in 2020 that provides detailed information, images, and maps, on the spaces and terrain.
The app aims to enable physically disabled Kiwis to understand outdoor areas that will best suit their abilities as well as highlighting on maps the challenges to prepare for and destinations to look forward to.
For more information on Accessibel head here or contact your local Adviser here for other recreational activities in your region.
Adapted Water Sports Equipment
Various beaches around New Zealand offer adapted water sports equipment available for use or loan for physically disabled New Zealanders.
Beach Wheelchairs
Beach Wheelchairs are available in locations around the country. Here are the locations and details:
Tokerau Beach
Located at: Tokerau Beach, Kaitaia
Contact: Gary Butt - 0274907607 - tokeraubeachboys@gmail.com
Tutukaka
Located at: Tutukaka Surf Experience Shop, Marina Road, Tutukaka, Whangarei
Contact: Simon Eggington - 0212270072 - simon@tutukakasurf.co.nz
Waipu Cove
Located at: Camp Waipu Cove, 869 Cove Road
Contact: 09 4320410
Auckland
Equipment Loan Pool though Auckland Whanau Special Needs Support Group - Click Here
Halberg Foundation - James Glen - james@halberg.co.nz
Beach Wheelchairs Company will hire a beach wheelchair for $50 per half day. Pick up from 1001 Beach Road, Torbay - just 300m from Long Beach. Contact: 021 533 659 or email info@beachwheels.co.nz
Whangamata
Toes In The Water - Two beach chairs and two beach walkers available
Contact: 021 0885 8939
Waihi Beach
Located: Tasman Holiday Resort, 15 Beach Road, Waihi Beach
Contact: 0800 924 448
Book a date and time (2hr usage). You'll be askes to provide name and address details over the phone; and show ID upon pick up.
Mount Maunganui
Located: Mount Maunganui Beachside Holiday Park, 1 Adams Avenue, Mount Maunganui.
Contact: 07 5754471
Hibiscus Surf School, Mount Maunganui
Contact: 07 575 3792 - info@surfschool.co.nz
Tauranga
CCS Disability Tauranga have three beach chairs available
Contact: 07 578 0063
Papamoa
Located: Papamoa Surf Lifesaving Club, 561 Papamoa Beach Road
Contact: 07 542 2122
Whakatane
Located: The Disabilities Resource Centre Trust, 141-143 King St, Whakatane
Contact: 07 307 1447 - information@drct.co.nz
Ohope
Located: Ohope Top 10 Holiday Park, 367 Harbour Road, Ohope
Contact: 07 312 4460
Gisborne
Parafed Gisborne/ Tairawhiti
Contact: Lou 020 408 09069
Napier
Hippocampe All-Terrain wheelchair located at Kenneedy Park Resport Napier
New Plymouth
Fitzroy Surf Life Saving Club – New Plymouth
Taranaki
Located: Oakura Board Riders Club, Oakura Beach
Contact: John Sigurdsson - 021 190 4881 or john@halberg.co.nz
Hippocampe Chair – Parafed Taranaki
Waikanae Beach
Located: Waikanae Boat Club
Contact: Greg Shaw - greg-van@xtra.co.nz
Wellington
Located: Freyburg Pool, 139 Oriental Parade, Wellington
Contact: 04 801 4530
Located: Lyall Bay
Contact: 04 387 2024
Nelson
Located at CCS Disability Action Nelson.
65 Trafalgar Street, The Wood, Nelson.
Contact: Sanat.Mishra@ccsdisabilityaction.org.nz
- 1x Beach Chair
Christchurch
Located at North Beach Surf Club
80 Marine Parade, North New Brighton.
Contact: NorthBeach Accessibility north.beach.accessibility@gmail.com
- Beach Chairs x2 Adult x1 Youth
Located at Pioneer Sport and Recreation Centre.
75 Lyttelton Street, Somerfield, Christchurch.
Contact: Mitchell@halberg.co.nz
- 1x Outdoor wheelchair
Dunedin
Located: Esplanade Surf School, 1 Esplanade, Dunedin
Contact: 0800 484 141 or learn@espsurfschool.co.nz
Beach Mats
Some beaches around the country have beach access mats is use during the summer
Mission Bay - Coming soon
Waiheke Island - Beach matting is located at Palm Beach Reserve. There is an accessible toilet and picnic area available
Mount Maunganui - The Tauranga City Council provides beach access mats at three locations at Mount Maunganui: Pilot Bay, the Cenotaph, and Cutter's Cove. You can loan a powered TrailRider to head up to The Mount's summit with friends and family.
Ohope - A beach mat is available at Ohope Beach in front of the Ohope Surf Club
Auckland - A beach mat is at the end of The Strand , Takapuna Beach - and a new toilet and changing facility at Gould Reserve at Takapuna Beach
Whangamata - Mat coming soon
Waihi Beach - A beach mat is available at the north end of Waihi Beach in front of the accessible toilets. The mat has been provided by the community.
New Plymouth: Fitzroy Beach
Wellington - The Hutt City Council provides beach access mats at Days Beach Over the summer period. Outside of this period, the Council will make the mat available for groups to hire out if needed to improve access at programmes, activities or events.
Nelson - Located at Tahunanui Beach. 2/623 Rocks Road, Moana, Nelson. Contact toby@moananzsup.co.nz
Christchurch - Located at North Beach Surf Club.
80 Marine Parade, North New Brighton. Contact: NorthBeach Accessibility north.beach.accessibility@gmail.com