Free Learn to Swim Lessons in Taranaki

In a country surrounded by water, having the ability to get yourself out of trouble is a key life skill. Structured swimming lessons can help to develop water safety skills, fitness, coordination, confidence and can even boost brainpower! View our application cut-off dates and apply for free swimming lessons for your whanau today.

Ako Wai Programme

Let’s give every child in Taranaki the chance to learn to swim and teach the importance of water safety. Ako Wai provides fully funded swim programmes to those in need. There are two ways to access these lessons: 1. Schools nominate tamariki 2. Whanau can nominate themselves.

Ako Wai is a Taranaki-based initiative focused on empowering tamariki through essential water safety education. Grounded in kaupapa Māori values and local community collaboration, the programme provides fully funded swimming and water safety lessons to ensure every child has access to life-saving skills, regardless of background or circumstance. Working alongside schools, whānau, and swim school providers, Ako Wai supports confident, capable swimmers and nurtures a lifelong respect for wai (water).

Are you eligible for funding?

  • 1. Contact Our Coordinator

    Ako Wai works with anyone, but specifically, youth, whose ability to access swimming services is restricted or limited due to physical, financial, cultural, social, psychological, or other constraints. Contact our Coordinator to see if Ako Wai is right for you.

  • 2. Fill Out a Form

    Once you have discussed your request with our Coordinator, you will be asked to complete an application form. There are four application periods per year. All applications are considered within two weeks of the cut-off date and applicants are notified of the outcome by our coordinator.

  • 3. Get in the Pool!

    The selected applicants will be assessed by and signed up with the swim school service provider. Funded lessons/classes will start the following term.

Apply Now
Ako Wai Donation Charity

A Community Supported Initiative

Ako Wai is an independently operated and community-funded charity, providing programmes in Taranaki for individuals who may not otherwise have access to pool-based swimming classes.

Get Involved

  • "The kids loved the lessons, and it was good it was a time that their tupuna could take them."

    - Anonymous, Stratford

  • "All the hard work was taken care of for me, we were surprised with the success of the first lesson. "

    - Anonymous, Stratford

  • “We loved our Ako Wai lessons! Thank you so much, my three children have gone from not even wanting to get in the water to floating and attempting arm-strokes. So blessed to live in Stratford.”

    - Lizette, Stratford