Ako Wai

Ako Wai is an independently operated and community-funded charity, providing access to local swimming services and programmes.

The purpose of the Trust is to promote and develop swimming and water safety in Taranaki. We work alongside any persons, but specifically, youth, whose ability to access swimming services is restricted or limited due to physical, financial, cultural, social, psychological, or other constraints. Programmes are currently operating from the TSB Stratford Pool and the Inglewood Primary School Pool, with others coming online soon.

05/04/2026

Thank you Contact Energy, it's with the help of companies like you that we can continue to provide funded swim programmes.

If you are keen to know more about being a sponsor or donor of Ako Wai, please visit:
https://www.akowai.co.nz/sponsors-donors

14/03/2026

🌊 End of Summer – Celebrating Our Ako Wai Swimmers! 🌊

As summer comes to a close, we want to say a huge congratulations to the 20 participants who have just completed a full year of swimming lessons through the Ako Wai Programme!

These swimmers have come from communities all around Taranaki, and it has been fantastic to see their confidence and water skills grow over the past year. Next term we are excited to welcome new participants into the programme, who will be learning alongside our current swimmers as they continue building their skills in the water.

A big thank you to our amazing local lesson providers who make this programme possible:
Todd Energy Aquatic Centre

Wai o Rua - Stratford Aquatic Centre

Hāwera Aquatic Centre

We’re looking forward to another great term of swimming! 🌊

If you’re interested in supporting this community initiative through sponsorship or getting involved, we’d love to hear from you.
Please contact Aimee at:
[email protected]

07/03/2026

We want to say a HUGE thank you to our sponsor, Taranaki Electricity Trust (TET)!

The funding we receive from TET helps cover the cost of getting local tamariki into Ako Wai, giving them the opportunity to learn to swim and stay safe in the water. We believe that every child should have the chance to learn this essential life skill, regardless of their financial situation.

Thanks to the generous contributions, many tamariki in our community are able to make this a reality. We are truly grateful for the partnership and look forward to continuing to work together to make a positive impact in the lives of children.

Learn more about TET: https://www.taranakielectricitytrust.co.nz/

Interested in sponsoring or donating to Ako Wai? https://www.akowai.co.nz/sponsors-donors

23/11/2025

We want to give a THANK YOU shout-out to Sport Taranaki and the Tū Manawa Active Aotearoa Fund!

Their support over the past 12 months has helped us fund swimming lessons for tamariki across our Taranaki primary schools through Ako Wai. Because of this funding, we’ve been able to reach and support so many more local kids in the water.

Ngā mihi nui to Sport Taranaki for backing this kaupapa and helping our tamariki thrive.

04/09/2025

☀️ Summer is just around the corner! 🌊 At Ako Wai, we’re all set for Term 4 and excited to get tamariki confident and safe in the water. Bookings at New Plymouth Aquatic Centre Wai o Rua - Stratford Aquatic Centre and Hāwera Aquatic Centre are being organised now.

Water safety and swimming skills are so important, especially as the warmer months bring more time at the beach, river, and pool. 🏊‍♂️

Now’s the perfect time to get your kids into swimming lessons – building their confidence, strength, and awareness while having fun! 💦 We are proud to help support and ensure all in our community has access to lessons around the mountain.

Let’s make sure every child has the skills they need to enjoy summer safely.

14/08/2025

AGM time - meeting Malones in Stratford Monday 7pm 25th August. See you there team.

07/06/2025

🌊 Ako Wai is going strong! 🌊
We’re proud to share that our current swimmers are making great progress, and we’re excited to welcome new swimmers starting next term!

Ako Wai teams with schools and funding organisations around the Taranaki maunga to provide fully funded swim lessons for tamariki in our region who might not otherwise have access. It’s a community effort, and together we’re helping our kids gain confidence and essential water safety skills.

We look forward to seeing you poolside soon! Let’s make next term another splash-tastic one! 🏊‍♂️✨
Shout out to our providers! Hāwera Aquatic Centre. Wai o Rua - Stratford Aquatic Centre. New Plymouth Aquatic Centre.

19/01/2025

As we get all our swimmers in a line around Taranaki for Term 1 start, we would like to extend a thank you to our sponsors Toi Foundation who have generously contributed to our funded swim lessons for children in Taranaki.

Your support has allowed us to provide a valuable essential life skill, regardless of their financial situation. Thanks to your contributions, we are able to make this a reality for many children in our community.

We are grateful for your partnership and look forward to continuing to work together to make a positive impact in the lives of children.

13/11/2024

Kia ora e hoa mā! 🌟 it was awesome to catch up with Marina from Sport Taranaki and show her the programme running at Wai O Rua this week. Thanks to the incredible support from Sport Taranaki and the Tū Manawa Fund, Ako Wai is able to support our nominated school students into swim school lessons around Taranaki! 🏊‍♂️🎉 This is making a difference in our community and helping us empower our tamariki with essential water skills. Ngā mihi nui ki a koutou! 🙌

Address

Cnr Page Street & Miranda St
Stratford
4332

Telephone

+64272831733

Website

http://www.akowai.co.nz/

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Ako Wai posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Organization

Send a message to Ako Wai:

Shortcuts

Want your organization to be the top-listed Non Profit Organization in Stratford?