Whangārei wheelchair see-saw gives children with disabilities a place to belong

Thirteen-year-old Alex Ostermann tries out the new accessible see-saw at Raumanga Scenic Reserve. Photo / Denise Piper

A new wheelchair-friendly see-saw in Whangārei allows children with disabilities to join in the fun, rather than just having to watch from the sidelines.

The see-saw is part of a new playground on Raumanga Scenic Reserve, off Raumanga Valley Rd, thanks to a partnership between Whangārei District Council and local charity Children with Disabilities NZ.

It was officially opened on Thursday with fanfare, including members of the disabled community showing their support.

Children with Disabilities NZ founder Kylee Ostermann said the see-saw is designed to be used by all, so able-bodied children can interact with children in wheelchairs and playful adults can also have a go.

“We didn’t want something that was just for wheelchair users, we wanted something for everyone.”

Ostermann’s son Alex, 13, uses a wheelchair and has restricted communication. Without accessible play equipment, he was restricted to just watching, she said.

“Why shouldn’t everyone get a chance to play and feel like they belong somewhere?

“We want them to feel like they’ve got a space to have fun and a sense of belonging in the community because it can be very isolating when you feel like you’ve got restrictions.”

Ostermann helped form Children with Disabilities NZ in 2021 when she noticed Whangārei’s upgraded Town Basin playground no longer had a wheelchair swing.

Teaming up with Whangārei resident Glen McMillan, who also has a disability, the charity formed and started fundraising for more accessible playground equipment.

A wheelchair swing was put in at Waipu in April 2023 and parts of Pohe Island Adventure Playground were made wheelchair accessible thanks to feedback from the charity.

Members of the disabled community attended the playground’s official opening on Thursday, supporting the movement to have more accessible playground features. Photo / Denise Piper

Children with Disabilities funded $10,000 toward the Raumanga see-saw, thanks to donations, support from Northland Horror and sponsorship from Playco Playgrounds.

The remaining approximately $30,000 cost was funded by the council as part of the new playground.

McMillan said as it is hard to get donations, the aim of the charity now is to lobby councils across the country to include accessible playground equipment when they build new playgrounds.

Also in its sights is more accessible equipment at Pohe Island, because of its central location, he said.

The new Raumanga Scenic Reserve playground also includes slides, swings, exercise equipment and a half basketball court.

Denise Piper is a news reporter for the Northern Advocate, focusing on health and business. She has more than 20 years in journalism and is passionate about covering stories that make a difference.