Disability & Inclusion | Recreation Aotearoa

Learn how we're working to enhance the accessibility and inclusivity of recreation spaces, places, and programs for people with disabilities in Aotearoa.

Our strategic plan, Te Whai Oranga highlights the importance of focussing on accessibility in one of its Pou: All tāngata o Aotearoa / people of New Zealand can access high quality recreation opportunities regardless of location, age, ethnicity, gender, ability or socio-economic status.

Supported by Sport New Zealand's Disability Inclusion Fund from 2022 to 2025, we are working to deliver a series of initiatives to improve the accessibility and inclusivity of recreation spaces, places, and programmes for people with disabilities in Aotearoa.

We’re doing this through developing and championing guidelines, advocating for greater accessibility, and providing advice to the sector.

Many of our initiatives are currently in development. Check back in on this page for updated guidance and information.

Some of our accessibility initiatives at a glance

Outdoor Recreation Accessibility Guidelines

Alongside a national Accessible Outdoors Working Group, we've developed Outdoors Accessibility Guidelines to help providers of outdoor spaces, trails and their associated infrastructure to develop more accessible outdoor spaces.

Accessibility and Inclusion in Outdoor Education and Recreation

Mountain bike trail design and construction guidelines

While our Outdoors Accessibility Guidelines are being developed, find guidance on building adaptive mountain biking trails within out latest mountain bike guidelines.

New Zealand Mountain Bike Trail Design and Construction Guidelines (Issuu)

Gates and barriers on trails

We often get questions about preventing motorbike and vehicle use on trails while ensuring accessibility for all users.
We’re collaborating with the University of Canterbury’s Department of Mechanical Engineering and our Accessible Outdoors Working Group to develop a decision-making matrix for future barrier use on trails.

For now, we’ve collated the most recent guidance in a short resource.

Trail Barrier Remediation – Least Restrictive Access

Aquatics

We're in the process of updating our Aquatics Facility Guidelines to enhance the guidance relating to disability, inclusion and accessibility.

In the meantime, we're developing a short resource that includes guidelines and tips to ensure aquatic facility websites and accessibility pages provide key information for people with disabilities and access needs.

Aquatic Facilities - Accessibility Information for Websites (PDF)

Aquatic Facilities - Accessibility Information for Websites (Word)

More information

Have a question about disability inclusion and/or accessibility or a project you'd like to share with us? Email Katie Owen: katie@nzrecreation.org.nz.