For all outdoor providers
Inclusive Practice in the Outdoors
1 in 4 New Zealanders identify as disabled — and 72% of disabled New Zealanders say they want to take part in outdoor recreation more often. Inclusive practice is not an add-on: it's good programme design, good risk management, and good business.
1 in 4
NZers identify as disabled
72%
Want more outdoor recreation
11%
Of under-15s in NZ are disabled
The rights foundation
New Zealand ratified the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) in 2008. Article 30 specifically requires the state to ensure disabled people can participate in sport, recreation, and tourism on an equal basis — including access to venues, programmes, and tourism services.
The New Zealand Disability Strategy 2026–2030 (Whaikaha) emphasises participation in community activities — including sport and recreation — as a valued outcome. The Health and Safety at Work (Adventure Activities) Regulations also carry an implicit obligation: risk disclosure must be communicated in a way that considers the demographics of participants, including language and ability.
Key guides and resources
Accessibility and Inclusion in Outdoor Education and Recreation
The primary practical guide for NZ outdoor educators and programme providers. Covers disability concepts, inclusive facilitation, cultural integration including te ao Māori, and specific advice for schools and outdoor operators. Available in multiple accessible formats including easy read, braille, audio, and NZSL video.
Key stat: 11% of children under 15 in Aotearoa identify as disabled
Outdoors Accessibility Design Guidelines
New Zealand's first outdoors-specific accessibility design guidelines — developed with the Outdoors Accessibility Working Group and people with lived disability experience. Covers inclusive trails, facilities, signage, parking, toilets, water-based access, and more. Also available as easy read, NZSL video, large print, and audio summary.
Key stat: 72% of disabled NZers want to take part in outdoor recreation more often
Disability & Inclusion Hub
Recreation Aotearoa's central hub for inclusive outdoor practice — links to the Outdoors Accessibility Design Guidelines, the Outdoor Education & Recreation Guide, Mountain Bike Trail Design Guidelines, and trail-barrier decision-making resources.
Disability Inclusion Toolkit for Outdoor Providers
A detailed operational toolkit for welcoming people with physical disabilities into outdoor programmes — staff training, programme adaptation, communication, and equipment considerations. Recent and directly applicable to NZ operators.
Sport NZ Inclusivity Hub — Disability
Practical frameworks including the TREE method (Teaching style, Rules, Equipment, Environment) for adapting activities, the Inclusion Spectrum, co-design guides, disability inclusion policy template, and inclusive language guidelines.
AdventureWorks Inclusive Practice
Practical example of inclusive outdoor education delivery — three-pillar approach (understanding, accessibility, participation), Functional Ability Questionnaire, and integrated programme model. Includes a downloadable functional ability questionnaire for pre-programme planning.
Practical frameworks
Design outdoor spaces and programmes so they work for the widest range of people from the outset — rather than retrofitting accessibility after the fact. The Outdoors Accessibility Design Guidelines apply universal design principles to NZ outdoor infrastructure.
From Whenua Iti's published learnings: (1) holistic approach — communications and booking systems matter as much as physical access; (2) involve the disability community from inception — they hold the solutions; (3) provide detailed pre-programme information; (4) remain open to continuous learning — no single solution fits all.
The most effective inclusive programmes are designed with, not for, disabled participants. Sport NZ's co-design guide and resources support organisations to involve disabled people in genuine decision-making rather than consultation after the fact.
NZ organisations and support
Making Trax Foundation
Inclusive tourism advisory & adaptive adventures
NZ's only independent organisation dedicated to inclusion in adventure, tourism, and travel — operator training, the Trax Seal of Approval directory, and adaptive cycle tours (Adaptive Aotearoa).
Halberg Foundation
Inclusion training & youth grants
Halberg Train delivers on-site inclusion training for outdoor educators and coaches. Halberg Activity Fund provides grants for physically disabled young people under 21 for equipment, lessons, and school camps.
Recreate NZ
National outdoor programmes — intellectual, physical, sensory disability
Delivers 770+ outdoor programmes annually for young people (10–35) with mild to moderate disabilities across Auckland, Waikato, BOP, Hawke's Bay, Wellington, Christchurch, and Dunedin.
AdaptMTB NZ
Adaptive mountain biking — trail grading
NZ's first inclusive trail grading system for adaptive bikes — covers track width, clearance, surface, and obstacles. A practical resource for trail builders and operators wanting to assess adaptive MTB access.
Herenga ā Nuku Aotearoa
Outdoor access & inclusive trail design
Crown agency (formerly Walking Access Commission) protecting public outdoor access for everyone. Regional Field Advisors provide free accessibility advice; connects trail builders with adaptive practitioners and national disability support organisations.
Disability Sport Auckland
Adaptive equipment hire (Auckland)
Adaptive equipment available for hire including hand cycles, race runners, racing wheelchairs, sports wheelchairs, and an accessible 8-person van. Low-cost monthly or weekly hire.
Parafed Network
Regional disability sport delivery
Nationwide network of regional disability sport organisations (Auckland, Canterbury, Otago, Northland, Manawatu, Bay of Plenty) supporting inclusion in sport and recreation.
Blind Sport New Zealand
Visual impairment — outdoor sport
Supports participation in alpine skiing, canoeing, tandem cycling, sailing, and other outdoor activities. Free national Accessible Sport Kit loan available in 18 regions.
NZ case studies
With Halberg Foundation support and Sport NZ Disability Inclusion Fund backing, Whenua Iti overhauled communications, staff capability, physical site (new ramp, signage, handrails), and equipment (specialist harnesses, adapted paddleboards, beach wheelchairs). Disabled youth participated in outdoor activities for the first time, with follow-up participation in mainstream school camps.
Runs five dedicated adapted courses: ACTIVATE (physical disability), HORIZONS (intellectual disability), YOUTH ACTIVATE, YOUTH HORIZONS, and UPBEAT (early-onset Parkinson's). Same learning outcomes as mainstream courses with additional support and rest breaks. Partially funded through MSD for eligible participants.
Beach access mats at four destinations, free beach wheelchair and TrailRider all-terrain wheelchair services, and concentrated 'accessible hotspots' combining multiple accessibility features in one location. User response: 'Being able to go up Mauao again with my whānau was a gift.'
Language guidance
Both person-first language ("person with a disability") and identity-first language ("disabled person") are used in New Zealand — individual preferences vary. Ask participants how they'd like to be referred to. Sport NZ's inclusive language guidelines are the sector reference.
Funding for participants
Funding sources your participants may be able to access for equipment, fees, and transport.
Physically disabled youth under 21 · Equipment, lessons, school camps
Injury-related disability · Adaptive equipment (wheelchairs, prosthetics)
Disabled people generally · Free long-term equipment loan
Ages 0–18, disability or illness · Extracurricular fees, equipment, sport
Eligible individuals · Outward Bound disability course funding
Auckland region · Adaptive equipment hire at low cost
Get started
Related on OutdoorNZ.org
For inclusive practice in school outdoor education and EOTC contexts, see the Schools & EOTC section and the EONZ website.
Content curated May 2026. All links go to authoritative sources — Recreation Aotearoa, Sport NZ, Whaikaha, and individual organisations. This page is a navigation and resource hub, not advice. Last reviewed May 2026.