Accessibility

Waimakariri Access Group (WAG)

Over 20 years ago a number of local people, concerned about the needs of those with mobility issues, met to form a group to highlight these needs. Advocacy, education and training are amongst the aims to promote a “barrier free” District. The group were also instrumental in Council formulating an Accessibility Strategy (with an action plan) and continue to advise Council on accessibility. From its early beginnings WAG has become more formalised and now is also an advisory group to the Council.

The Waimakariri Access Group is consumer led with current representation from:

  • Blind Low Vision NZ
  • Enabling Good Lives
  • IHC North Canterbury
  • Disabled Persons Assembly
  • CCS Disability Action
  • Grey Power North Canterbury
  • Concerned and interested members of the public
  • Some service providers (Idea Services, Aspire Canterbury) also attend the group
  • Waimakariri District Council appointment (Currently Councillor Brent Cairns)
  • Chris Ruth Centre
  • Rangiora High School  Lighthouse Programme
  • Disability Advisory Trust
  • Driving Miss Daisy
  • Waimakariri Youth Council.

The group is led by Chairperson, Shona Powell  - Email waimakaccess@wmk.govt.nz

Council staff support the Access Group, ensuring issues identified in relation to Council are followed up, that consultation is undertaken as required and that staff participate in the annual training opportunity.

Each Community Board also has a rep on WAG during their elected term. The group meet on the  second Thursday of the month from 10.30am-12pm, at the Council Chambers, Rangiora Service Centre, 215 High Street.

For further information relating to this group including recent or coming activities, please check the Waimakariri Access Group Facebook page or contact Martin Pugh 0800 965 468.

The group prepared a flyer for business to support them providing better access, view this brochure here Waimakariri Access Group Barrier Free brochure

Inclusive Waimakariri – Council’s Accessibility Action Plan

The Council recently approved updates to the previous Accessibility Strategy, creating Inclusive Waimakariri, a plan for our Council to improve access and consider accessible needs in our work. For more information on this plan,  click here

Disability service providers in Waimakariri

There are a number of services available in our district, search ‘disability services’ on the Next Steps website to see these - www.nextsteps.org.nz/

Last reviewed date: 08 Sep 2025