The Tararua District Council is concerned about the safety of swimming pools and spas in the district, with drownings a major cause of accidental deaths in New Zealand.
Under the Fencing of Swimming Pools Act 1987, all swimming pools and spa pools with a depth greater than 400mm must be fenced.
Council representatives are now carrying out inspections of swimming and spa pools in the Tararua District to ensure the safety requirements are being met. Councils have been given the statutory obligation and warrants to ensure all swimming and spa pools comply with the Act and council representatives are warranted to enter a property at any time, without notice, to carry out inspections. Under the Act, these inspections must be conducted at intervals of five years or less.
•Fences must be 1.2m high and must not be climbable from the outside.
•Any gaps between palings or between the ground and the start of the paling must not be greater than 100mm.
•Gates must open outwards and must have a mechanism to enable them to self-close from within 150mm of the closed position.
•Latches for gates must be at least 1.5m above ground or if they are inside the gate, must be unreachable by a child outside of the gate.
If you are unsure of any of the requirements around swimming and spa pools please ring the Council on 06 374 4080 and ask to speak to a building officer.