New Zealand Community Trust (NZCT) has awarded Parklands School in Motueka a $22,638 grant for specialist swimming lessons and pool safety equipment. The funding will support instruction, a teaching handrail, lane and safety ropes, and refurbishment of five shallow-water platforms.
Parklands School Principal Andrea Smith says, “Our tamariki live near rivers, the coast and other waterways, and many families swim, fish, and boat. Confidence and safety in and around water are vital life skills. Many can’t access private lessons, so school is their only opportunity to develop essential swimming and water-safety skills.”
The school pool lacked equipment to safely support students of different ages, heights, and abilities. The new handrail and ropes will create suitable teaching areas and give beginners extra support. Refurbishing the five shallow-water platforms will help younger and smaller children stand safely and is more cost-effective than replacing them.
From 2 to 13 November 2026, Richmond Aquatic Centre instructors will deliver lessons at the school for the first time. Most students will receive ten lessons, taught in small groups with instructors working alongside them in the water.
Year 7 student JT Laban says, “I like that kids at Parklands get a chance to learn how to swim at school. I’m an OK swimmer, but I want to be stronger for the summer.”
Year 8 student Dasha De Guzman adds, “I’m not a strong swimmer, so I really need the lessons. I love our pool because we get to cool off in summer.”
Year 8 student Faith Polotu says, “I’m not a real fan of doing lengths, but I think it’s important that I know how to swim properly when I’m at the river.”
Teacher Jess Drummond says, “Having instructors in the pool with the children makes a real difference. It’s hard to teach swimming from the side, and some children struggle to leave the edge without someone alongside them to help. The platforms have been made safer so children can no longer swim underneath them, and the new teaching bars will be great for practising skills such as kicking.”
NZCT General Manager of Grants, Marketing and Communications Ben Hodges says, “Motueka is blessed with a wide range of accessible swimming spots, but that comes with risks a good learn-to-swim programme helps to reduce. The Parklands pool is a taonga that has taught generations of pupils water safety, me included. This investment is made possible through NZCT’s partnership with Hotel Motueka and its gaming lounge, which helps return funds raised locally to the town’s schools, clubs and community groups. If you’ve got a local project that needs support, we’d love to hear from you.”
Around 90% of the net proceeds NZCT raises in Tasman is returned to Tasman, with the remaining 10% supporting causes of nationwide significance.
Motueka groups can find NZCT’s funding criteria and apply at https://www.nzct.org.nz/grants