Media statement | 28 February 2007

40,000 Auckland kids going to school 'Feet First' in March

Forty thousand children from 96 Auckland 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 Auckland Regional Transport Authority (ARTA) 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,” said 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.

Twenty percent of schools in the Auckland region are actively promoting walking and cycling as part of school travel planning, with around 3,700 children currently using walking school buses.

ARTA Chief Executive Fergus Gammie says walking school buses are now an iconic part of weekday life in Auckland, helping thousands of children enjoy the benefits of walking to school.

“The success of this programme is down to the huge contribution and commitment Auckland parents, schools, local councils and central government have shown in making it safer and easier for children to walk to school," Mr Gammie said.

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.  

Editors’ note:

• On Walk to School Day (March 7) MP for Maungakiekie Hon Mark Gosche will walk to school with students at Te Papapa School, Onehunga, MP for Manukau Hon Ross Robertson will walk with students from Rongomai School, Otara, and Manukau City Mayor Barry Curtis will walk with students from Reremoana School.
• Whangaparaoa Primary School will be holding a ‘Fancy Feet’ event. Children will be encouraged to decorate their shoes and walk to school, with prizes for the  ‘best dressed feet’. Local councillor Wayne Walker will be joining a walking school bus.
•  On March 8, MP for Auckland Central Hon Judith Tizard will walk with students from St Francis School, Point Chevalier.

For more information

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

Sharon Hunter
Communications Manager
Auckland Regional Transport Authority
Ph: 09 379 4422  x9074 or 021 545 230