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Far North District Council Te Pātukurea Kerikeri Waipapa Spatial Plan

Posted in Regional, Submission; Tagged Accessibility, Parks and recreation; Posted 16 months ago by DPA Less than a minute to read

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To: Far North District Council
Date: April 2025 

 

Purpose

This submission’s primary purpose is to advocate for accessibility to be a central and essential component of the plan for Kerikeri and Waipapa's growth over the next 30 years. DPA aims to ensure that the plan fosters truly inclusive communities where everyone, including disabled people and tāngata whaikaha Māori, can fully participate without barriers, emphasizing Universal Design across housing, transport, public spaces, and climate resilience strategies.

Summary of DPA submission

DPA welcomes the opportunity to engage with the Te Pātukurea - Kerikeri Waipapa Spatial Plan, emphasizing that accessibility is not an "add on" but an "essential and central component" for Northland's growth. DPA notes that 23% of Northland’s population identifies as disabled, a number expected to rise with the aging population.

DPA highlights that accessibility, as a core principle of the UNCRPD and NZ Disability Strategy, impacts every aspect of participation in community life, from housing and transport to public facilities and leadership. DPA also points to the economic potential of disabled people, particularly in accessible tourism.

For housing, DPA stresses that new builds must be based on Universal Design, as it is more cost-effective than retrofitting, especially given Northland's aging population and the dire housing situation for disabled people, who face higher rates of homelessness and poor housing. DPA recommends that the Council consult with its Disability Advisory Group and/or an Accessibility Advisor as co-design stakeholders in all Council building projects. They also advocate for barrier-free accessibility audits to identify necessary changes across communities.

In terms of the transport network, DPA champions a 'whole-of-journey approach' and 'accessible journeys for all,' noting the ongoing accessibility challenges faced by disabled people using public transport in Northland.

DPA recommends active consultation with Northland disability organizations and the Disability Advisory Group to improve transport options. Regarding climate resilience and emergency preparedness, DPA underscores that disabled people are disproportionately affected by climate change and severe weather events, with limited housing choices post-disaster. They support building new housing based on Universal Design outside of hazard zones and recommend Council consult with the Northland disability community on emergency preparedness.

DPA emphasizes the unique perspective of tāngata whaikaha Māori as mana whenua and recommends that Te Pātukurea Hapū Rōpū consults with tāngata whaikaha Māori on Council matters. DPA advocates for accessible playgrounds in Kerikeri and Waipapa for all children, including disabled children.

DPA supports the Spatial Plan’s focus on urban design away from hazard zones but insists this must be balanced with the need for affordable, accessible, and healthy homes for disabled people. They also recommend reviewing the appropriateness of allowing new building activity in high-risk areas. Lastly, DPA asserts that disabled people have a right to fully access natural spaces and recommends that all natural infrastructure, like walking tracks and parks, be built or upgraded to Universal Design standards with accessibility features.

 


Key Recommendation/Finding:

That Council consult with their Disability Advisory Group and/or an Accessibility Advisor as co-design stakeholders in all Council building projects.

 


Supporting Statement 1:

“…most Council's minimum accessibility standard for developers to gain building consent is an impediment to accessing social housing for

disabled people.”

 


Supporting Statement 2:

“Disabled people need housing that is safe, warm and easily maintained, with good access to transport and health services, but large numbers of New Zealand’s disabled population are living in the most deprived areas, in rental housing where it is damp and cold.”

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DPA Submission Far North District Council Te Pātukurea Kerikeri Waipapa Spatial Plan (DOCX)

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