Auckland's new outdoor summer pool won't be accessible for everyone

Auckland Council is inviting Aucklanders to dip their toes into a free outdoor saltwater pool this summer - but only if you can climb the steps to access it.

Karanga Plaza’s Tidal Steps in Tāmaki’s Wynyard Quarter will be home to a four-laned 33 metre-long swimming pool with a jumping platform, along with changing sheds, outdoor showers and lockers.

While it’s being promoted as a place to “encourage Aucklanders to safely connect with and enjoy the city centre waterfront for free”, access for wheelchair-users and other mobility aids won’t be built into the pilot design.

A spokesperson from Eke Panuku, the developers of the project, says that the pool has been designed as a low-cost pilot to test the concept of an outdoor waterfront lap pool. 

When asked by The D*List if it had calculated the cost of accessibility features, the Eke Panuku spokesperson said no.

The Auckland Council’s Disability Advisory Panel had not been involved directly in the pool project, but the spokesperson said the advisory panels were engaged in the decision-making process of the council’s Long-term Plan 2024-2034, which included this project. 

“Where possible we will make use of existing infrastructure and equipment to keep costs down,” the spokesperson said. “This project will allow real-time testing of the concept, location, structure and operational requirements…access is via the existing steps and the gangway which, depending on the tide, will not be accessible for all.” 

The spokesperson says Eke Panuku is seeking feedback from users through the pilot to help shape what facilities a permanent saltwater pool would offer in the future, and if feasible that they can be added to the pilot facility. 

Aside from showing up at Karanga Plaza looking really devastated in real-time about the lack of access, feedback can be submitted by contacting info@ekepanuku.co.nz.

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