Disability services

Elder man on mobility scooter on Kamo Shared Path

We are committed to making Whangārei District inclusive and accessible for everyone.

We provide working parking permits, free mobility hire and discount taxis to people living with disability.

Take a look at our map and guide to accessible facilities and services below:

Guide to accessible facilities and services(PDF, 473KB)

Mobility parking

Mobility parking spaces are available throughout Whangārei for use by those with a Mobility Parking Permit. Parking in these spaces is free but maximum parking times still apply.

Mobility Parking Permit holders also receive a parking concession for all standard Council car parking spaces and can park for twice the stated time allowed. For example, payment for 1 hour allows parking for 2 hours.

Mobility Parking Permits are issued by New Zealand CCS Disability Action. For further information visit their website:

Mobility Parking

Disability working parking permit

We provide disability working parking permits for eligible individuals whose workplace does not have nearby all day free parking options.

A disability working permit allows the holder to park the permitted vehicle free of charge at any Council car park in Whangarei but not in designated mobility parking spaces.

To apply for a permit, complete the Disability Working Permit Application.

Disability Working Parking Permit Application(PDF, 710KB)

Mobility scooters and wheelchairs

Wheelchairs are available for use in our Central Library and Te Iwitahi (civic centre). Please ask one of our friendly staff if you require one.

You can borrow a mobility scooter for free from Whangārei Art Museum to get around the Town Basin and the Hātea Loop. It has enough power to complete the entire loop and visit all the experiences the area has to offer.

The mobility scooter was donated to our District by NorthAble in 2014. To use the scooter, phone the Whangārei Art Museum between 10:00am and 4:00pm seven days a week, or call in as you are passing.

Phone: 09 430 4240

Total mobility scheme

This scheme offers people with impairments a 50% discount on taxi fares for transport in the Whangārei urban area.

It is jointly funded by Whangarei District Council (60%), Land Transport NZ (40%) and administered by the Northland Regional Council.

For information about the scheme and eligibility, follow the link below.

Total mobility scheme (nrc.govt.nz)

Hāpai Access Card – Forum North

Forum North has joined the Hāpai Access Card scheme.

This is part of our ongoing commitment to providing an excellent customer experience for people with disabilities who visit Forum North.

See the Forum North page on the Hāpai Access Card website for more information:

Hāpai Access Card – Forum North Entertainment Centre (hapaiaccesscard.org.nz)

Camera Obscura sculpture access

A map showing mobility vehicle access to the Camera Obscura.

People who need mobility access to Camera Obscura sculpture can call our Customer Service centre and request a gate code.

Phone: 09 430 4200

The code will let people access the service road that runs from the Pohe Island Car Park directly to the Camera Obscura sculpture.

Disability Advisory Group (DAG)

We have three Advisory Groups that meet monthly:

Disability Advisory Group (DAG)
Positive Ageing Advisory Group (PAAG)
Youth Advisory Group (YAG)

The purpose of these groups is to provide us with advice about policies, plans and projects from the perspectives of the community sectors they represent.

Accessibility for everyone is a key priority for both the Disability and Positive Ageing Advisory Groups. Inclusion for all young people is one of the key focuses for the Youth Advisory Group.

The Disability Advisory Group is a valuable forum for us to communicate with the disability sector.

Disability Advisory Group

Local disability services

Sign language service

Te Tai Tokerau Regional Accessibility Strategy

The Te Tai Tokerau Regional Accessibility Strategy was developed as a shared project by the four councils of Te Tai Tokerau (Whangarei District Council, Kaipara District Council, Far North District Council and Northland Regional Council), together with a working group made up of Northlanders with access needs.

The strategy gives Te Tai Tokerau a shared vision, values, outcomes and actions to improve accessibility and the experiences of people with access needs. It covers what we can do to make Te Tai Tokerau more:

Inclusive: If something is inclusive, everyone can take part.
Accessible: If something is accessible, everyone can use it.

The plan also serves as a strategic framework for each individual council to develop their own implementation or action plans, which will be made available on individual council websites when ready.

The cover page of Te Tai Tokerau Regional Accessibility Strategy, including a photo of a smiling woman in a wheelchair and the logos of the four Northland councils.

Te Tai Tokerau Regional Accessibility Strategy (PDF, 3MB)

More information is available on the Northland Regional Council website, including access to the strategy in te reo Māori, Braille, audio, large print, Easy Read and TellMe:

Northland Regional Council (nrc.govt.nz)