A very special swing, specifically designed for children and adults in wheelchairs, has been installed at Kaitaia's Jaycee Park.
It is part of the Jaycee/Centennial Park development project, which has already seen footpaths widened to improve accessibility.
The $18,000 Australian-made Liberty swing, one of three that will be installed around the Far North, one in the Bay of Islands-Whangaroa ward and the third in the Kaikohe-Hokianga ward, allows wheelchair users to gain maximum height, as opposed to simply rocking back and forth. It includes an access ramp, a moulded plastic capsule with an internal steel frame, and a seatbelt to secure the wheelchair.
Te Hiku Community Board chairwoman Adele Gardner said she had gone to some lengths to ensure the official unveiling of the swing was a memorable occasion.
"I tried desperately to find children in wheelchairs," she said.