Small community making big waves towards an accessible beach
Last year, a Waihī Beach local expressed sadness and frustration via social media that her partner in a wheelchair could not gain access to our beach. The community reaction to this was immense – they too expressed that this was simply not good enough and that absolutely everyone, no matter their capability, should be able to enjoy the beach. And so this started the Accessible Waihī Beach movement.
In January this year, two beach wheelchairs worth over $16,000 were donated by LJ Hooker and a local beach resident. These were made available for free use for both locals and visitors all year round. Goldfields School from Paeroa visited the Waihī Beach area in February and used the beach wheelchairs the very day they were delivered.
Then the Waihī Beach community decided they would like to go even further and provide easy access for all onto to the beach. The plan to achieve this is by introducing Accessibility Beach Mats which enables wheelchair users, those with mobility issues, our elderly community and even young families to get onto the beach. It will also mean that Waihī Beach can welcome new events such as adapted surf competitions and host special needs schools at our beach and community. Guided by local Dave MacCalman, Halberg Foundation, and through consultation with Tauranga Council (who placed mats at Mount Maunganui), Waihī Beach Community Events and Promotions has coordinated a plan to purchase and install mats to be out over the summer period near the mobility toilets at the north end of Waihī Beach. Waihī Beach Surf Lifesaving Club are also in full support of this initiative. The mats are made of 100% recycled polyester roll and will have longevity of 8-10 years. The project has been costed out at approximately $45,000.
The response to the project has been huge. Sponsorship contributions large and small from both businesses and individuals, as well as a give-a-little page, have generated over 80% of the funds required. And we have just received news that we will receive the remaining funds through two local grants that were ap
plied for. Therefore, we are confident to have the mats purchased and installed by Labour Weekend, in time for summer.
The key sponsors of this initiative are LJ Hooker Waihī Beach, The Gattung Family, Andrew’s House Movers, Waihī Beach RSA, Bee NZ, Waihī Beach Contractors, The Gatland Family, Bill and Barb Young, Flat White Café, Hīkaka Investigations, Maurice Trapp Group, Athenree Holiday Park, Threads of Mayhem, Waihī Beach Surf Club and Waihī Beach Community Events and Promotions.
There are beach access mats at Mount Maunganui, Takapuna and Days Beach in Wellington. To our knowledge, these
were paid for and managed by the local councils in the region. However, the Waihī Beach community is driving this project and making it happen through its own initiative and funding. From here, there is also a plan to develop a map that lists all accessible accommodation, dining, facilities and ‘things to do’ options in our area, and in doing so, welcome and invite people of all abilities to our town.
Waihī Beach is a community of coasties who work hard to care for and protect their beach but are equally passionate about ensuring that everyone can enjoy and experience our beach as they do. Now that’s what you call ‘community’.