New seats bring enjoyment back

Event Cinema manager Justin Chaney sitting in one of the new moveable seats they have for wheelchair companions. Photo: Bruce Barnard.

A Tauranga couple who took a public stand last year against inadequate seating for wheelchair patrons and their companions at Event Cinemas Tauranga finally got to sit together at the movies in style last week.

Merle and Dion Seeling approached The Weekend Sun in September after years of frustrating attempts to sit together when going to the movies.

Unlike other cinemas in the city, Event Cinemas Tauranga in Elizabeth St (formerly Bay City Cinemas) does not have rows of seating with seats removed so wheelchair patrons can sit next to their companions. Wheelchair patrons sit in a space behind the seated area.

Merle sometimes took her own camping chair along to the cinema so she could sit next to Dion, who uses a wheelchair, or was provided with an uncomfortable wooden chair or office chair by cinema staff.

Event Cinemas general manager of operations in New Zealand, Carmen Switzer, promised to rectify the situation with new, moveable seats. A moveable seat that can be wheeled into place alongside a wheelchair patron was added to each of the main cinemas at Event Cinemas Tauranga on March 30.

Manager Justin Chaney says the chairs can be wheeled from one cinema to the next if required. If people requiring the seats are able to book in advance, they can be put in place before their arrival.

Merle booked ahead for a wheelchair space last week and was delighted to find one of the new seats ready and waiting for her.

'We came up the ramp and saw the chair and thought ‘No way!' It was the first time I was happy to be at the movies in ages because I didn't have to go through the drama of trying to find a seat. It was a super comfortable chair with two drink holders. They've finally come to the party so we're back on for the movies.”

Disabled Person's Assembly spokesman and chair of Tauranga's Disability Advisory Group, Paul Curry, proposed a boycott of Event Cinemas Tauranga last year until such time as the company honoured its commitments to people with disabilities.

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4 comments

Disabled seat in Cinemas

Posted on 21-04-2018 11:57 | By LyricalSoul

Awesome news, I do hope they remember to do this for the new cinema being built @ Tauranga Crossing


About time

Posted on 21-04-2018 13:06 | By Raeleen

Although its great that it's happened it really should have been rectified a long time ago.


I agree with Raeleen and LyricalSoul

Posted on 21-04-2018 16:27 | By SML

Yay, it's finally happened (I haven't been for 10 years as NO-ONE needs to feel treated like a piece of rubbish, plonked next to the bin and away from companions/carers), and yes it's been a hell of a long time coming!! I have spoken to Tauranga Crossing about this, and awaiting a reply - and also about that terribly slippery grey strip along the footpath where it meets the carpark (one of my carers had a serious fall there...). There are far too many inaccessible or dangerous places around Tauranga when organisations should be far more aware of the H & S and accessibility rights issues of disabled and elderly customers, who should be able to go out socially with the same ease as everyone else.


same guy?

Posted on 22-04-2018 23:32 | By Gundyboy

if he is who I think it is, he's been the manager there a long time now.must be 20 years at the same place.


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