Inglewood, Waitara and Ōkato pools open on Saturday 14 November, Fitzroy on 19 December

By the Explore New Plymouth news desk · Published Thursday 12 November 2026

New Plymouth District Council's outdoor pools at Inglewood, Waitara and Ōkato open for summer on Saturday 14 November, with the free children's pools at Fitzroy following on Saturday 19 December.

When

Inglewood, Waitara and Ōkato from Saturday 14 November; Fitzroy from Saturday 19 December

Cost

Adults $3; children, seniors 60+ and adults with a child under eight $2; Fitzroy free

Hours

Weekends and public holidays: lane swimming 9am to 12.30pm, public swimming 12.30pm to 6pm

The council has made improvements over the off-season, including a new heating system at Waitara Pool and a more accessible front entrance at Ōkato Pool, it said in its announcement on Monday 9 November.

NPDC Aquatics Manager Sarah Brittain said, “We are looking forward to welcoming our communities back for another great summer season”.

Where the pools are

• Inglewood: corner of Elliot and Rata streets. A six-lane outdoor pool and a toddlers’ pool.
• Waitara: 1 Leslie Street. A 33m six-lane pool, a learners’ pool, a toddlers’ pool and a 4m-deep dive pool.
• Ōkato: Upper Kaihihi Street. A 25m six-lane pool and a toddlers’ pool.
• Fitzroy: at the bottom of Beach Street, opposite the Fitzroy Surf Club. Two shallow pools for young children, with no entry charge.

Opening hours

Inglewood, Waitara and Ōkato keep the same timetable. On school-term weekdays, lane swimming runs from 6am to 9am and again from 12pm to 1pm, and the pools open to everyone from 3.15pm to 6pm. During the school holidays, weekday lane swimming runs from 6am to 9am and public swimming from 12.30pm to 6pm.

Fitzroy opens from 10am to 6pm on weekends, public holidays and school-holiday days, and from 2pm to 6pm on other weekdays.

Prices

Entry at the three larger pools is $3 for adults and $2 for children, seniors aged 60 and over, and an adult with a child under eight. Spectators pay $1, and an adult concession card of 11 entries costs $30.

Explore New Plymouth news desk: news@explorenewplymouth.co.nz. Spotted something wrong? Tell us and we’ll correct it.