Mission Heights College

Four staircases. Three levels. Two roadways. One school entrance.

To get from Jeffs Road to this key Mission Heights Junior College entry point, students must navigate multiple level changes, drop-off lanes, and four flights of stairs.

For most students, this daily journey is manageable because they are fully sighted. But for students who are blind or have low vision, this route can feel overwhelming.

Haptix stepped in to make this challenging space and many others across the campus safer and more accessible for everyone, especially those with visual impairments.

To clearly mark hazards and guide students safely, we installed our TacStud Yellow polyurethane tactile indicators along the top and bottom of many staircases throughout the school and leading toward each road crossing. These tactile markers provide clear hazard identification that reduces the risk of incidents.

To prevent slips and highlight stair edges, we also installed DKR103 stair nosings with yellow carborundum inserts. These hard-wearing nosings deliver strong visual contrast and a durable anti-slip surface.

Bethlehem Shores Tauranga

Vision loss is one of the most common challenges affecting older adults. With New Zealand’s ageing population, the number of people experiencing low vision is set to increase significantly.

Reduced vision makes everyday navigation much more challenging and can greatly impact independence. Small upgrades can make a big difference in making any space safer and easier to navigate for everyone.

We recently completed the installation of stainless steel tactiles with carborundum inserts at Arvida Bethlehem Shores in Tauranga, a premium retirement village designed for comfortable, high-quality living.

Installed throughout the site, these tactiles provide clear, durable underfoot guidance, helping residents safely navigate key pathways and shared spaces.

Tactile indicators play a critical role in bridging the gap between basic compliance and truly safe, user-friendly environments. They provide physical cues that can be felt underfoot or with a cane, alerting residents to hazards, changes in direction, and safe pathways.

 

More importantly, they support:

-Safer movement by reducing the risk of trips and falls

-Greater independence, allowing residents to move confidently without constant assistance
-Improved wellbeing by helping maintain dignity and autonomy

Papatoetoe Reserve

We’ve recently completed the accessibility works for the Papatoetoe Stadium Reserve upgrade. A project that redefines circulation, enhances safety, and strengthens the spatial experience within one of Auckland’s most active public reserves. The renewed environment provides legible pathways and community-centred gathering spaces, all elevated by the refined detail of our lux brass stair nosings, which complement the project’s architectural intent.

Our Haptix team installed around 400lm of the BAR040-H brass rebated bar stair nosings, fitted in three strips per stair to deliver long-lasting traction and a clean architectural finish.
We also supplied a mix of 60mm tactile pavers, including yellow directional and hazard tactiles and green hazard tactiles that were installed along key crossings, helping guide pedestrians safely up to the upgraded reserve.

The wider reserve upgrade was designed in consultation with Mana Whenua with goals to:

  • Add new community facilities, including a playground and basketball half court
    • Create social spaces and a new recreational heart for Old Papatoetoe
    • Improve pedestrian and cycling routes with safe, direct pathways between Papatoetoe and Puhinui train stations
    • Retain significant trees and increase planting throughout the reserve
    • Enhance safety through new lighting
    • Improve stormwater management
    • Protect a green, public recreation space for future generations

Project Waka

Our team recently completed specialist accessibility and safety works on Project Waka, part of the major Wakefield Place / Wakefield Tower redevelopment in the heart of the Auckland CBD.

This project called for a high level of technical expertise, particularly in the installation of curved rebated bar stair nosings. With over 450 lineal metres installed, each bar was precisely formed to follow the geometry of the stairs. Using specialist techniques and experienced installers, we achieved a seamless finish that integrates cleanly with the surrounding architectural detailing.

Our scope of works included:

Wellington Street Beach

Alongside the picturesque banks of the Waikato River, Wellington Street Beach boasts a constant stream of swimmers and kayakers alike. A small park makes way to the sandy strip and jetty, the perfect place to take a dip.

Last year, this park was a muddy bank with a few benches to accommodate park goers. Today, this space is a sleek community asset with modern toilets, shade structures, a public barbeque, drinking fountain, seating and landscaping.

Undertaken by Schick construction for the Hamilton City Council, the first stage of the development opened in late December, ready for beach goers to make the most of the summer holidays. To make the space usable for everyone, Haptix stepped in to install accessibility solutions to keep everyone safe.

Our scope included:

Merivale Community Centre

The brand-new Merivale Community Centre has officially opened its doors in Tauranga.

Founded in 1993, the centre has always been a cornerstone for the local community, offering support, connection and opportunity. When the old building was no longer fit for purpose, it was time for something new.

The new space includes a welcoming reception area, kitchen, multi-functional community hall, offices, private meeting rooms, youth music studio, and more including a vibrant outdoor area featuring a basketball court designed by local student.

Our team contributed to this project by enhancing accessibility, safety and durability across the site:
-Stainless Steel Tactile Studs with Carborundum Inserts help guide visitors safely through entrances and pathways, ensuring the centre is accessible for everyone, including those with low vision.
-Aluminium Stair Nosings with Striped Carb Inserts (DKR403) improve grip and visibility on stairs, reducing the risk of slips and trips.
-Skatestop Edge Skate Deterrents protect outdoor seating and edges from damage, helping the space stay welcoming and well-maintained for years to come.

Metro Sport

We’re making New Zealand’s top new infrastructure safer for everyone.

Set to open in 2025, Parakiore Recreation and Sport Centre (Metro Sport) will be New Zealand’s largest aquatic and indoor recreation venue, designed to welcome people of all ages and abilities.

The facility spans 32,000m² and includes a 50-metre competition pool, diving pool, hydroslides, gym, café, sauna, and seating for thousands of spectators.

Our Haptix team have been busy making this state-of-the-art facility more accessible through the installation of stainless steel tactile indicators across the site.

We’ve installed pads of tactile indicators along potential hazards all over the facility, from crossings, entry ways, stairs, ramps and more. The combination of tactile studs, tactile bars and and tactile pavers are strategically designed and placed to make the space easy to navigate for everyone in the blind low vision community. We even supplied stair nosings to help reduce slips, trips and stair damage.

Linden Station

We’ve upgraded Linden Train Station. It’s now safer than ever for commuters with limited vision to get around the Wellington Region.

 

The project saw the installation of over 85,000 tactile studs and 356 linear metres of directional indicators, enhancing safety and wayfinding for the visually impaired. At the core of the upgrade are THIFS25 Yellow Polyurethane Tactile Indicators, built to provide hazard warnings for the Blind Low Vision community. Our tactile indicators meet strict compliance standards for accessibility, ensuring greater accessibility.

 

To get the job done quickly and accurately, we used the Haptix Drilling Rig, which can drill up to 5,170 holes every hour. This made the installation 13.8 times faster than using standard methods, with more than 70 metres completed each day. All work was done during off-peak hours to keep train services running smoothly.

Te Rimutahi

Located on Ponsonby Road, Te Rimutahi is a brand-new civic space developed through over a decade of collaboration between Auckland Council, the Waitematā Local Board, Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei, and the local community.

Named after “the lone Rimu tree,” Te Rimutahi provides Ponsonby with a much-needed public gathering space. The project features an open-air event area, gardens, seating, and public bathrooms, all designed to serve the diverse needs of the community. It also integrates existing infrastructure with new, sustainable, and energy-efficient elements to minimise environmental impact while maximising social value.

Haptix was engaged to help ensure the space is not only beautiful and functional, but also safe and accessible for everyone.

As part of our scope, we:
-Installed stainless steel tactile indicators to support safe navigation for people with visual impairments
-Supplied and installed stair nosings to reduce the risk of slips and falls on public steps

The Hamptons

Haptix recently completed the first stage of a tactile installation at The Hamptons, a new residential subdivision in Prebbleton developed by Urban Estates.

This stage of the project focused on improving accessibility at pedestrian crossing points within the subdivision, ensuring all residents and visitors can move through the area safely and confidently.

Urban Estates approached us seeking a solution that would not only meet accessibility and compliance standards but also deliver a premium, visually appealing finish that suited the contemporary look of the development.

To meet this brief, the Haptix team supplied and installed custom Stainless Steel Tactile Indicators, PVD coated in black. This coating offers a bold contrast against the surrounding pavement and is significantly more durable than traditional powder coating, making it ideal for high-traffic environments.