About Us

Welcome, Haere Mai and Kia Ora to our Blog!

Hello! We’re a family of five based in Aotearoa New Zealand, sharing a love for travel, the great outdoors, and creating unforgettable memories together. What makes our adventures unique is that we travel with a wheelchair, navigating through the added challenges and finding joy in accessible travel. By sharing our journey, we hope to inspire others facing similar experiences and show that adventure is possible for everyone.

We’re big believers in Universal Design and the importance of inclusive, accessible spaces for all. In New Zealand, this concept is still emerging, yet we’re encouraged by the growing awareness of Accessible Tourism’s potential. With our blog, we’re excited to provide tips, reviews, and insights on accessible accommodations, activities, and more.

We go the extra mile to gather essential details—like measuring door widths or checking bed heights—to help others make informed travel choices. Bathrooms in particular often need better accessibility, and it’s a real treat to find accommodations that go above and beyond to make everyone feel welcome.

We’re also fortunate to have specialised equipment, from a beach wheelchair to a wheelchair bike and power chair, ensuring that our son Finlay, who has Athetoid Cerebral Palsy, can join in on every adventure. His energy and spirit inspire us, even as we navigate the added logistics of accessible travel.

As parents, we’re committed to advocating for better facilities, like public Changing Places and essential mobility equipment, so that families like ours can experience New Zealand with ease. We believe this beautiful country, with its diverse landscapes, beaches, and parks, has so much to offer, and we hope our insights encourage both individuals with accessibility needs and those without to see travel from a new perspective.

Happy exploring!

Happy travels and Kia Kaha everyone,

Kimberly

Useful Facebook Groups we admin for

• Accessible Travel Forum New Zealand
• Disability Equipment & Resources BUY/SELL/SWAP (New Zealand only)

Our Facebook Page we manage that you might like to follow,

• Grab Your Wheels, Let’s Travel

“You might find some photo credits to Oyster Accessible Travel as you browse through our Blog. This is because we are formerly OysterNZ, an accessible travel resource that we had to close down due to lack of funding and manpower to maintain it. We are currently in discussions with other’s to reinstate its presence as the need for it is definitely there”