We’ve made huge progress since we started advocating for a heated, indoor pool way back in the 1990s.

The campaign has led to full take-up by the Tasman District Council, who have recently activated a feasibility study (2022), purchased land (2023), and made a commitment of $15.6m to the project in their 2024-34 Long Term Plan. Our volunteer committee is now also meeting with representatives from the Tasman District Council on a regular basis, as a joint Project Advisory Group assigned to progress this work.

We’ve considered a wide range of pool concepts over the years – from a cover over the Motueka High School pool, to a small indoor pool, to a large multi-pool complex – and we’re now looking forward to consulting with construction teams to explore exactly what could be achieved.

We’re also planning a major fundraising campaign to connect with our local community and get funds across the line. Our community contribution of $4.4m is no small ask, but we have the support, drive, creativity and determination to make it happen.

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Motueka is the largest town in the South Island not to have a heated, indoor swimming pool facility. There are so many reasons why we need to change this:

1. To improve access for greater participation

   Whilst the people in our region have easy access to natural bodies of water – beaches, rivers and estuaries – these are not necessarily accessible to people with physical limitations, and definitely not appropriate for year-round access.

   Equally, our region’s outdoor school pools present similar challenges, with school needs additionally impacting on public availability.

   The best option our community currently has for safe, year-round access to swimming is the Richmond Aquatic Centre, although – as its located around 30 minutes’ drive away from Motueka – it can be really challenging for people with physical, financial and transport limitations to visit on a regular basis.

2. To keep us safe

   Aotearoa New Zealand’s high drowning rate (94 deaths in 2023 and a 2013-2022 10-year average of 82) compared to other western nations suggests that access to safe aquatic environments to recreate and develop the skills for less controlled water experiences is of high importance to our community.¹

   The economic burden of drowning fatalities, hospitalisation and injuries on Aotearoa New Zealand in 2024 exceeded $1 billion, reinforcing the urgent need for prevention-focused investment.²

3. For social, health and wellbeing benefits

   Sport NZ estimates that, overall, for every $1 spent on sport and physical activity $2.12 of social return is generated.

   Benefits to local communities include increased social connectedness, improved health and social wellbeing and increased cultural identity/ūkaipōtanga. Water-based recreation makes a particularly significant contribution to Māori wellbeing through the strengthening of intergenerational relationships and reinforcing of cultural values, beliefs, social norms, and knowledge.³

4. To meet growth demands

   Aotearoa New Zealand’s population is projected to grow and diversify over the coming years, with the 65+ age group set to increase most significantly, adding potential demand for health and relaxation in warm water spaces.⁴ Motueka is no exception to this anticipated trend.

5. To contribute towards a thriving community

   Added to the positive social outcomes, pool facilities contribute to the economy through employment of the workforce and the purchasing of goods and services from ancillary industries to support the operations of aquatic facilities.⁵ A swimming pool facility is a community hub and adds value to its host town.

• 1, 3, 4 and 5 Sourced from Sport New Zealand’s National Aquatic Facilities Strategy(2023)
• 2 Sourced from Watersafety New Zealand’s 2024 New Zealand National Drowning Prevention Report

Working alongside the Tasman District Council our aim is to open the pool to the community in 2029.

Building will start in early 2027, with a major fundraising campaign kicking off in 2025.

Early plans and feasibility concepts have oriented us towards a lane pool, a conjoined learn-to-swim and toddler’s pool, and a hydrotherapy pool. There’s also a strong desire to include a spa. The facility will be covered and it will be heated. We won’t incorporate features like wave pools, hydro-slides, lazy rivers or diving boards.

However, we won’t know exactly what the facility is going to look like until after we have gone through a tender process and selected our preferred supplier and design. Even then we’re expecting the detail to evolve through a series of discussions and cost analyses.

Either way, we are committed to ensuring our community’s needs are met upon opening of the aquatic centre, and into the long-term future. This means providing a facility that will suit all swimming levels, and regularity of use, by people of all ages, demographics and diversity.

The pool facility will be located on some of the land purchased by the Tasman District Council in 2023: on 99, 111b and 113b King Edward Street in Motueka, Tasman.

The ongoing maintenance costs for the new pool facility will be covered, primarily, by a small proportion of incoming Council rates, with low facility entry fees contributing the remainder.

The Motueka Aquatic Centre Committee is comprised of a group of dedicated volunteers, some of whom have been working on the project for decades. This includes:

Fred Hickling (Chairman) | Ross Loveridge (Chief Project Lead) | Paul Heywood (Meeting Chair) | Sue Clark (Treasurer) | Daryl MacLean | Don Wilson | Linda Kroupa | Maree Satherley | Mike Brown

Advice provided by local experts in specific areas such as fundraising, marketing and administration, add knowledge and networks to further advance the effort.

Collectively the team has raised almost three quarters of a million dollars, with thanks to a number of major donations and small events, such as sausage sizzles, quizzes, raffles, car rallies, movie nights, golf tournaments, and more. Grant applications are ongoing too.

We are now planning to launch a major fundraising push which will continue through to late 2026/ early 2027, after which the build is due to begin. You can expect a high-level of buzz around the region during this time as we connect with businesses, schools, community groups and members of the public, and raise our profile through events.

We very much value donations given to this project to date and can assure you that all money is recorded and safely banked. We plan to contact those who have made pledges to the project in due course.

We’re forever grateful for the ongoing support of our community, and to Tasman District Council for their assistance, funding and advice. Local mana whenua iwi are providing additional support and advice for the build design in their role as Treaty partners to the Tasman District Council.

We’d also like to give special mention to Motueka Lions and Lionesses who have committed funds towards therapeutic aspects of the centre, the Ngawhatu Pool Users Group for their generous financial contribution through Rātā, the Motueka branch of Rotary, Good Sports Motueka, and to Motueka and Districts Swimming Club.

Our supporters receive acknowledgement through our website and other channels as appropriate. Take a look at our list of current sponsors here.

If you would like to support us in any way head to our Sign Up area to get in touch!

Donate money

We need to raise $4.4m in order to get the project across the line, your donation is warmly welcomed! There are a variety of ways you can donate funds to the project. Find out more.

Join us in partnership

Offer funds, services and prizes, or collaborate with us on an event! This is a wonderful chance to raise your profile whilst giving back to your community. Get in touch to talk partnership opportunities.

Become an Ambassador

We’re looking for people who can help us connect with others in their area, spread the word, support our events and encourage generosity towards the project.

If you think this sounds like you sign up and we’ll get in touch for a chat!

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