Tauranga is leading the way in helping everyone enjoy the beach and water, with New Zealand’s first council-owned beach access mats.
The beach access mat is a portable rollout mat that creates a sturdy and visible access path to the beach. Anyone can use the matting, but it is particularly helpful for people who usually can’t get onto the beach and move across the sand (e.g. users of wheelchairs, walkers, mobility scooters, or strollers).
The first mat was trialled at Mount Maunganui Main Beach in December 2016 and was a huge success. Fundraising for the mat was successfully led by local businesses and 60 metres of additional matting was purchased by Council in 2017, with another 60 metres purchased in 2019.
Locations 2022/23 summer season
Weather depending, the beach access mats are located at:
- 136 Marine Parade/Cutters Cove
- Mount Main Beach
- Pilot Bay.
Accessible beach equipment
An accessible beach wheelchair, buggy and chair are available for hire. Bookings are required.