Accessibility Guide

Register for Nui te Kōrero

If you need support registering, please contact Kelly Benison at:

Email: nuitekorero@composition.co.nz
Call or Text: 021 073 5959

Registration fee

Individual artists/practitioners

• $70.00 plus GST ($80.50) register by 5pm on 11 August
• $90.00 plus GST ($103.50) if you register after 5pm 11 August

Arts organisations

• $170.00 plus GST ($195.50) register by 5pm 11 August
• $200.00 plus GST ($230.00) (if you register after 5pm 11 August)

When registering, please advise us of any access requirements or emergency evacuation needs you have.

Please let us know if you:

• Require a companion to support your access at Nui te Kōrero – we can provide a companion ticket (free of charge) 
• Need a mobility park
• Will have a service dog at the conference with you.

All information you provide will be held safely in accordance with Creative New Zealand’s Privacy Policy.

Venue information

Mercury Baypark Arena

Access to Mercury Baypark Arena

Parking

There are 10 mobility parks available in the venue carpark, these are non-bookable.

Entering the venue

The doors into Mercury Baypark Arena are automatic.

The venue is wheelchair accessible with a lift to access the first floor. 

Wharepaku Toilets

Non-gendered accessible toilets are available on the ground floor and first floor.

Seating

Attendees can sit wherever they choose. Designated seating near the front of the stage, for those wishing to access the NZSL interpreters will be provided.

If you have any requirements for seating, please let us know.

New Zealand Sign Language

All keynote sessions will have NZSL interpretation. Hearing Loops are not available at the venue.

Audio description is not being provided; however, speakers have been encouraged to describe their visual content. Service and assistance dogs are welcome. 

Keeping well

The venue is fitted with an air filtration system.  Anyone who wishes to wear a mask is welcome to do so. We encourage attendees not to attend the conference if you are feeling unwell.

Quiet space

The conference has a designated quiet space that can be used at any time during the event.  Anyone is welcome to use this space if you need a break but please do not do your work here. You are welcome to bring fidget toys or other things like sunglasses and hats that will help make the conference comfortable for you.

Monday 8 September 2025 – Optional activities and venue information

On Monday 8 September there will be a range of activities that attendees can participate in at different locations across Tauranga:

• Lunch at The Cargo Shed with optional guided walking tour will start at 12.00 and conclude by 1.30pm. 
• Cultural field trip hosted by ngā Iwi o Tauranga Moana, starting at midday (TBC)

The Cargo Shed – Lunch and Walking Tour (12pm – 1.30pm)

Tauranga City Council is hosting the optional lunch at the Cargo Shed on Monday, 8 September, followed by an optional walking tour with one tour that will be NZSL interpreted and wheelchair accessible.

There is one mobility car park available at the venue.

From the car park, a ramp leads up into the Cargo Shed.

Website: The Cargo Shed website
Venue address: 5 Dive Crescent, Tauranga City 3110
Phone number: 07 577 7189
Email address: cargoshed@tauranga.govt.nz

Tuesday 9 September 2025 – Optional activities and venue information

On Tuesday 9 September, attendees are welcome to attend the Toi Ora: art village after dark hosted by The Incubator.  

This event will start at 5.30pm and finish at 7pm.

Food outlets at the village will stay open until 10.30pm so you can choose to stay for dinner.

Website: The Incubator website
Venue address: The Historic Village, 159 17th Avenue, Tauranga South NZ
Phone number: 07 571 3232
Email address: info@theincubator.co.nz

Access to the Incubator

The Incubator is a 15-minute drive from Mercury Baypark Arena. 

The Incubator and the wider historic village complex are down a very steep hill, so for anyone with mobility impairments, arriving by car would be the best option. Once you are at the historic village it’s flat. 

There are three accessible car parks located at the main entrance to the Historic Village.

If you need to park closer to the venue, permission for your vehicle can be organised.

The streets are wide, and main spaces all have ramp access.

The Historic Village has two accessible toilets allocated within the gendered bathrooms beside the Schoolhouse.

Before you go to the conference

a. Book your flights, accommodation and travel as soon as you can

We recommend that you book your flights (if required), accommodation and transport well in advance of the conference to secure availability. We have put together a list of suggested accessible accommodation with special conference rates that you can find below.

b. View the conference venues online

More detail on the venues being used for Nui te Kōrero 2025 are available at the following links:

• Mercury Baypark Arena
• The Cargo Shed
• The Incubator

c. Contact our team if you have any questions 

If you have any questions about the programme or you’d like to speak to our Access Organiser, Kelly Benison, please get in touch.

You can request the programme in large print once it is available. 

Kelly Benison
Email: nuitekorero@composition.co.nz
Call or Text: 021 073 5959

During the conference:

a. Get to know the venue 

We are offering two hosted tours of Mercury Baypark for attendees who would like to get to know the conference venue.  

b. Find out which speakers and sessions will be New Zealand Sign Language (NZSL) interpreted

All presentations on the main stage will be supported with NZSL. Two interpreters will be signing for people watching via our live stream, the other two interpreters will be signing for the in-person audience.

Accommodation

We have created a list of recommended accessible accommodation that is convenient for accessing Nui te Kōrero.

Nui te Kōrero accommodation

Tauranga City Council has created a helpful resource for finding suitable accessible accommodation if you would like to see more options.

Tauranga City Council accommodation

Programme

Keynote sessions will be NZSL interpreted for in person attendees, as well as those joining via our live stream.

We have structured our programme to allow for longer kai breaks and breaks between sessions to allow time for people to move around without feeling rushed. Some breakout sessions on day one (Tuesday, 9 September) will be repeated. 

Accessibility map

Tauranga City has created an accessibility map. Use this free app to find accessibility information of hundreds of locations including carparks, playgrounds, council facilities, and local businesses.

Tauranga City access map