Selwyn Aquatic Centre has been recognised as the best in the country for its innovative programme for children with disabilities and for its use of artificial intelligence (AI) technology to keep swimmers safe.
The centre received the Aquatic Innovation – Programme and Aquatic Innovation – Operations awards at the 2025 Recreation Aotearoa Aquatics Awards, for its transformative WAVES Programme, which sees centre staff working with children with disabilities.
Developed seven years ago by a qualified Speech and Language Therapist within the Selwyn Aquatic Centre team, WAVES has grown from helping eight children to one of the largest programmes of its kind in the country, supporting over 120 children.
Lessons are tailored to each child’s unique learning profile and co-designed with families, with 1:1 instruction. The programme ensures every child in Selwyn has equitable access and opportunity to thrive in the water – building skills, confidence, and community, said Executive Director of Community Services and Facilities, Denise Kidd.
“We’re proud of our team and so pleased to see them recognised for such an important and special programme. It is often hard for parents to find services like this for their children at an affordable price, so it was important for us to be able to provide something for children in our community who already face many challenges and who might otherwise miss out,” said Ms Kidd.
“The team do a fantastic job with everything from children with health issues that might cause them to struggle in a group environment, to those who are deaf, blind, non-verbal, in a wheelchair or needing full physical support to move. We hear regularly from parents how much the children love it and the confidence and joy it brings them.”
The Centre also scooped the Aquatic Innovation Award for its AI drowning prevention system, which is a first of its kind in a public pool in Aotearoa. The system uses 27 AI-enabled cameras that monitor swimmer behaviour and alert lifeguards via smartwatches when signs of distress are detected.
“Selwyn Aquatic Centre is our most popular community facility, with over half a million visits every year, so it’s important to us to make sure people are looked after in using the centre. These awards are a great reflection of the hard work our team put in to provide excellent service for Selwyn residents to help make this a great place to call home,” Ms Kidd said.
