Waihī Beach heads into it's third summer season of proudly offering inclusive beach access and facilities; and is in planning to build a high-needs accessible change room. 

In 2021 the Waihī Beach community banded together and with the financial support of businesses and residents, sourced accessible beach matting allowing persons in wheelchairs and with mobility issues safe and sturdy access to the beach.  

At this time, two beach wheelchairs were also donated to the community by LJ Hooker Waihī Beach and a local resident adding to the overall experience of being able to access the beach and enter the water in the beach wheelchairs.

These accessible options were immediately embraced by locals and visitors, with many people stating they hadn’t been on the sand for years before the beach mats were installed.

In addition, Goldfields School from Paeroa have used the mats and wheelchairs on their annual beach day; and Parafed BOP and Parafed Waikato have held their adaptive surf days at Waihī Beach due to the new facilities on offer. 

Waihī Lifecare has also taken trips to the beach with people in their care accessing the mats with their mobility walkers and placed their deck chairs on the mats to enjoy the view!

In 2022, an accessible water station and picnic table were placed near the entrance of the beach mats offering more inclusive facilities to ensure every member of the community could enjoy a great day out at the beach.

The beach mats are maintained by a group of passionate locals who monitor the tides and ensure the mats are taken in, if big swell or tides occur. 

The local Mayor View Fire Brigade also supports with hosing down the mats and clearing them of sand. 

Terry O’Niell accessing Waihī Beach via the accessible beach mats. Photo supplied.

The Lifeguard Services Club pitches in with helping transporting and storing the mats and equipment – it is a true community effort!

But Waihī Beach is not stopping there – they are looking to develop a high-needs accessible change room to complement the accessible facilities.

“Our vision is to offer as ‘full a beach experience as possible’ for people with mobility issues and other disabilities, who require a safe and functional space to get ready for the beach and to shower and get dressed after their  beach day out. 

“The lack of these facilities often deters individuals and families from spending more time at beach,” says local accessibility champion and driver of these initiatives Dave MacCalman.

Live Well Waihī Beach is working with the Waihī Beach Lifeguard Services to develop this high-needs change room that will house a ceiling hoist (allowing safe wheelchair transfer); adjustable change table; showering and heating functions to allow persons who need extra care to get ready for the beach in a dignified manner and in a safe space.  

They hope to have this completed by the end of 2024.

With strong community support and a collective vision of ensuring Waihī Beach can be enjoyed by everybody – watch this space as Waihī Beach looks to establish itself as New Zealand’s most accessible beach!