Children swim for free at swimming pools across Auckland

Auckland (and former Manukau) Mayor Len Brown's policy of extending free entry to children 16 and under at all of Auckland Regional Council's 24 swimming pools has been in operation since the beginning of April.

In May last year, Mayor Brown had to abandon plans to extend the former Manukau City Council's free swimming at five pools to those across the now unified Auckland Regional Council area. However, the new Council did back allowing free swimming for those aged 16 and under.

Introducing the new city-wide program, Mayor Brown recently visited the West Wave Aquatic Centre in Henderson to speak to those who will benefit from the free access.

Mayor Brown explained "in a region surrounded by sea, swimming and spending summer at the beach is a rite of passage, and it's vitally important to give our young people the skills to do that safely and wisely.

"Free access to public pools is one way of giving our young people a stronger start in life, an avenue to important skills, enjoyable physical activity and good fun," he says.

Young people aged 16 years and under will have free access to core facilities during operating hours. However, charges will apply to all non-core facility areas like spas, sauna, steam, special play equipment, dive-boards and hydroslides, and for programmes such as learn to swim.

All adults (17 years and over) will be charged for access to Council-owned pools, including the five pools in the Manukau area where entry has until now been free. However, three pools in South Auckland will remain free to all, with the extra costs to be met by the local boards from their own funds. Total estimates of additional expenditure for these councils range up to nearly $NZ1 million. The fully subsidised pools are: Papatoetoe Centennial Pool, Moana-Nui-a-Kiwa and Otara Leisure Centre.

The initiative does not apply to the Newmarket Olympic Pool, Mt Albert Wave Pool and Sacred Heart College Pool which are not owned by Council or have separate contract arrangements.

Approximately 400,000 children will benefit from the program, which aims to give them confidence in the water, especially in areas such as West Auckland where beaches can be dangerous.

Image: A young swimmer at Auckland's Tepid Baths.

27th June 2012 - AUCKLAND MAYOR CONFIRMS FREE POOLS FOR KIDS

5th June 2012 - AUCKLAND’S TEPID BATHS SET FOR 23RD JUNE REOPENING 

11th April 2012 - FREE SWIMMING LESSONS TO REACH 37,000 AUCKLAND CHILDREN

13th January 2012 - WATER SAFETY CAMPAIGN TARGETS HIGH MAORI DROWNING RATES

20th May 2011 - MANUKAU SWIM PROGRAM DELIVERS 200,000 FREE LESSONS 

4th April 2011 - AUSTSWIM TRAINING LAUNCHES IN NEW ZEALAND 

20th August 2010 - MANUKAU SPORTS CLUBS CAPITALISE ON CLUB SMART PROGRAM

3rd May 2010 - MANUKAU SWIM INITIATIVE EARNS NATIONAL EXCELLENCE AWARD

15th December 2009 - FREE SWIMMING: AN END OR A BEGINNING?

4th November 2009 - SCHOOL SWIMMING POOL CLOSURES RISING 

27th May 2009 - NOT ENOUGH POOLS TO STAY AFLOAT  

19th September 2008 - NZRA AWARD WINNERS ANNOUNCED

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