Our very own Margaret Hawkes recently joined the “Doers Panel” at the Korero for Change webinar, organised by Access Matters, to share insights on Accessible Tourism in New Zealand. A huge thank you to the team at Access Matters for starting such an important conversation! One of the highlights of the morning was the ability for viewers to ask questions and engage directly with the speakers.
Margaret spoke about the importance of personal relationships, taking the time to listen to customers and understand what they want out of a holiday, and helping them achieve it. She talked about how we gather recommendations from our customers about what they found accessible and doable in New Zealand, sharing these insights through our Play & Stay Directory online. Margaret talked about how accessibility isn’t one-size-fits-all, and hearing from travellers themselves is the best way to understand what works for each individual.
The webinar featured inspiring speakers tackling different aspects of accessible tourism:
Sandy Grant (Ability Adventures) – highlighted the ongoing challenges around accommodation, often needing to adjust client travel dates to match accessible options, and emphasized the time and relationship-building needed to deliver the experience each traveller wants.
Jezza Williams (Making Trax) – talked about the innovative adventure tourism solutions he has built to make adventure activities more inclusive in New Zealand, including river rafting, heli-skiing, and ways to make iconic destinations like Milford Sound more accessible.
Olivia Dobbs (Top 10 Holiday Parks) – shared their journey to make holiday park properties more accessible, including the challenge of keeping accessible rooms bookable online and making sure they truly suit the individual before confirming a booking.
Scott Herschberger (Access Maps) – discussed their mission to make streets and pavements easier to navigate, through mapping accessible routes around New Zealand, and gave a glimpse of exciting initiatives coming soon.
Dr Brielle Gillovic (AUT) – presented research from both NZ and international perspectives, providing insights on accessible tourism trends, opportunities, and economic significance.
Dudesh Jnunjhnuwala (Sudima Hotels) – showcased the hotel group’s work making accommodations accessible and highlighted the importance of inclusive hospitality practices.
A highlight of the forum was live feedback from a recent Australian tourist:
“I’ve just returned from a holiday in Queenstown/Milford Sound and I need to give a shout out to Margaret and her team at Freedom Mobility. We hired a vehicle in Queenstown that needed to come from Christchurch. The team delivered and collected. It is the kind of service and flexibility that is needed in the industry. Thanks to you and the team.”
The key takeaways from the day were:
National and regional bodies need to step up to support, regulate, and promote New Zealand as an accessible destination.
Collaboration is essential—industry experts with knowledge and experience should work together to improve accessibility.
Information matters—clear, reliable, and consistent information about accessibility is critical for travellers.
Accommodation challenges remain—flexibility is often required to ensure accessible options are available.
Transport solutions are vital—from intercity public options to accessible rental vehicles, mobility is key.
Personal relationships make a difference—taking the time to talk with customers ensures their experiences meet expectations.
At Freedom Mobility, we’re proud to help travellers of all abilities explore New Zealand with independence, confidence, and ease.
