Media statement | 28 February 2007

Wellington kids going to school ‘Feet First’ in March

More than 11,000 children from 43 Wellington 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 and the Greater Wellington Regional 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. 

Greater Wellington Sustainable Transport Leader Susan Hutchinson-Daniel said Feet First Walk to School Week reinforced the messages of the council’s school travel plan programme, which works with local councils, schools, sport and health agencies to promote active journeys to and from school.  

“Feet First is a great way to demonstrate the fun and learning children can have as they walk, scooter or cycle to school, and it’s something Greater Wellington would like to see children continue to do throughout the year.”

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.

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 full list of participating schools.  

Walk to School Week Events in Wellington:

• Minister of Transport Safety Harry Duynhoven will be walking to school with students from St Francis De Sales School in Island Bay on Wednesday 7 March.
  MP for Mana, Hon Luamanuvao Winnie Laban, will be walking to school with students from Titahi Bay School on Wednesday 7 March.
• Miramar Central School will hold a whole school ‘walk around the block’ on Monday 5 March.
• Pinehaven School will be running a walking school bus every day during Walk to School Week. The bus will be escorted by teachers and parents.

For more information

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

Susan Hutchinson-Daniel
Sustainable Transport Leader
Greater Wellington Regional Council
Ph: 04 801 1081  or 027 212 0672