Encraftment Christmas Market 2026

Pioneer has bike stands located at the front and back entrances.

You can travel to Pioneer on the Orbiter bus. The bus stop is on Lyttelton Street near Conway Street, and the bus stop is located 130 metres or 2 minutes walk to Pioneer.

• View Orbiter timetable

Pioneer has carparking located at the front and back entrances.

Check out our detailed Pioneer Accessibility Guide so you know what to expect throughout our centre. 

• Pioneer Accessibility Guide (desktop)
• Pioneer Accessibility Guide (mobile)
• Pioneer Accessibility Guide (A4 print)

Visit the Hāpai Access Card website to see responses to access barriers and a walk-through video of Pioneer.

There are seven accessible carparks available at Pioneer. Five are located at the front entrance (80 metres) and two are located at the back entrance (30 metres).

Both the front and back entry to Pioneer is via a flat entrance with automatic doors. There is a low internal ramp into the stadium.

Poolside

• Pool access is through an entrance gate. Please ask staff to help you if you need assistance.
• Wet wheelchairs are available outside the change village.
• Please bring your own slings for the hoist, they are not available to hire.
  The leisure pool has a ramp entrance.
• The lane pool has a mobile step access with a rail. Please ask a lifeguard to put the steps in the pool.
• The teach pool has built in step access with a right handrail.
• The spa pool has a hoist and steps. The hoist is available through self-transfer or carer assistance.
• The steam room and sauna are accessible, however assistance may be needed with the doors.

Gym
Access to the gym is through an entrance gate. Please ask staff to help you if you need assistance.

Group fitness
You can access the group fitness studios on Level One using the lift located next to the back entrance.

Lounge and kitchen
You can access the lounge and kitchen on Level One using the lift located next to the back entrance.

Dance studio
You can access the dance studio on Level One using the lift located next to the back entrance.

Sensory Centre
You can access the Sensory Centre on Level One using the lift located next to the back entrance.

Poolside

You can find the accessible toilet in the change village and teach pool. The toilet in the change village has a hoist. The toilet in the teach pool also has a large shower area.

Foyer

There are four accessible toilets in the foyer, you can find two larger toilet cubicles in each of the male and female toilets near the back entrance and the stadium entrance. 

Level one

There is an accessible changing room on level one. This has an adjustable bed and toilet, and an automatic opening door.

Poolside

There is one accessible changing room and four large changing cubicles in the poolside change village. The accessible changing room has an adjustable electric bed, hoist, shower and toilet. The large changing cubicles have a shower and bench seat.

Please bring your own slings for the hoist, they are not available to hire.

Level one

There is an accessible changing room on level one. This has an adjustable bed and toilet, and an automatic opening door.

The role of the caregiver varies based on individual needs, however you may need to:

• Assist with communication.
• Assist with personal care.
• Help the person you are caring for move through the centre and exiting the centre in an emergency.
• Assist in the pool or actively monitor from poolside.
• Assist in the gym.

If you have special requirements, please speak to one of our events team for additional assistance.

You are welcome to leave your mobility equipment on poolside as long as it is not blocking a walkway or emergency exit. Lifeguards can help you to find a suitable location if needed and can bring your equipment to you when you are ready to leave the pool.

Guide dogs are welcome to be on poolside.

The Southern Centre is a multi-sensory environment which uses a range of lighting effects. These effects are unlikely to bring on seizures. Please speak to staff if you would like more information.

If you would like to visit Pioneer when it is quiet, we recommend coming before 9am or between 10am and 2.30pm on weekdays.

Weekends are usually busy all day however this does change depending on the season.

Pioneer does not have hearing loop.

Poolside

There are five baby change tables located near poolside. Three change tables are in the change village, and there is one baby change table located in each of the male and female changing rooms.

Foyer

There are two baby change tables located in the main foyer. One in the mens toilets and one in the female toilets near the back entrance and stadium.

• Leisure pool - temperatures range from 30 to 32 degrees
• Lane pool - temperatures range from 26.5 to 27.5 degrees
• Spa pool - temperatures range from 38 to 40 degrees
• Teach pool - temperatures range from 31 to 33 degrees