Media statement | 28 February 2007

Nelson kids going to school 'Feet First' in March

More than 5,000 children from 19 Nelson and Tasman District schools are gearing up to head to class 'feet first' next week.

Feet First Walk to School Week (March 5-9) is aiming to boost the number of children walking to and from school by promoting the benefits of making the trip on foot. Kids from participating schools in Auckland, Tauranga, Wellington, Nelson and Tasman will take part this year, with plans to expand Walk to School Week nationwide from 2008.

Land Transport NZ, Nelson City Council and Tasman District Council are encouraging children at all participating schools to get involved in the week’s events, walking to school with friends or caregivers, or as part of a walking school bus. The highlight of the week is Walk to School Day on Wednesday 7 March, when some schools will aim to have every child make the journey on foot.

New results from the most recent Ministry of Transport household travel survey show that the proportion of primary school children walking to school has dropped from 42 percent in 1990 to 27 percent now, while the proportion being driven to school has jumped from 31 percent to 52 percent. At some schools nearly 90 percent of students are driven.

“We need to turn those figures around. Getting kids out of cars and on their feet will mean better fitness and health, less money spent on petrol, reduced energy use and fewer vehicle emissions, less congestion at the school gate and more social interaction for kids,” says Land Transport NZ Chief Executive Wayne Donnelly. 

“Feet First Walk to School Week will highlight the benefits of walking and help increase the number of kids getting to school under their own steam.  We’re committed to promoting sustainable and safe land transport for life, and this is a great way for children to learn good habits early on.”

Mr Donnelly urged motorists to slow down and take extra care whenever driving around school areas.

Schools taking part in Feet First Walk to School Week will be vying for prizes of Sanitarium school breakfasts and free sports gear for those with the most participating students. Sponsors Geared New Zealand will also provide high-visibility jackets as spot prizes.

Brightwater School in the Tasman District is the school to beat, being the only school in the country to record a 100 percent turnout on Walk to School Day last year.
“That's an awesome result. This year's event will be even bigger and we'll be encouraging every school in the region to aim for 100 per cent,” said Krista Hobday, Safe Journeys to Schools Coordinator for Nelson City Council.
To keep the focus on walking to school after the week’s events have finished, prizes are also on offer for schools with the highest rates of participation in ‘Walking Wednesdays’ for the remainder of the first term.
Feet First Walk to School Week is led by Land Transport NZ, in partnership with ARTA, Greater Wellington Regional Council, Tauranga City Council, Nelson City Council and Tasman District Council.  Visit www.feetfirst.govt.nz for further information, including a list of participating schools.  

Walk to School Day events in Nelson/Tasman

• Nelson Mayor Paul Matheson will welcome children as they arrive at Tahunanui School. Bagpipe players from the City of Nelson Highland Pipe Band will be piping pupils to school.
• Harold the Giraffe from Life Education Trust will be rewarding pupils arriving at Henley School.
• Teachers from Brightwater School will be walking to school from Richmond and Wakefield.
• All pupils at Nelson Central and St Josephs Schools will be provided with balloons to carry on their walk to school on Monday 5 March and be in with a chance of a spot prize.
• Pupils from Garin College will host students from St Paul’s with a healthy breakfast and then walk them to school.
• A witch will be joining pupils from Auckland Point School walking from Spotlight car park.
• A balloon vendor will be joining pupils walking to Tahunanui School from the corner of Parkers Road and Roto Street.
• Nelson Central School students will work out how much fuel/CO2 is saved by each child that walks instead of being driven to school on Walk to School Day.
• Children from Montessori Preschool will walk to the library on Walk to School Day.
• Children from Auckland Point School will walk to the library during the week.

For more information

Andy Knackstedt
Media Manager
Land Transport New Zealand
Ph: 04 931 8829 or 0212 763 222

Krista Hobday
Safe Journeys to School Co-ordinator
Nelson City Council
Ph: (03) 546 0214