More than 170,000 trips logged
Movin’March initiative gets students moving with 134 schools taking part
On behalf of Greater Wellington, Kāpiti Coast District Council and My Ride I’d like to congratulate Kenakena School, Paraparaumu, Reegan Lewis who has won a $400 My Ride voucher in the WOW Passport Challenge for Movin’March 2023!
It was a huge pleasure to attend assembly at Kenakena School to present Reegan with his prize, a $400 My Ride voucher.
He’s looking to buy a new bike with his voucher, how exciting.
Reegan was one of 38,000 students who had the opportunity to take part in this year’s recordbreaking Movin’March that saw 140 schools commit to active travel.
More than 170,000 student trips were logged over 31 days this Movin’March, a huge success for the Greater Wellington initiative that encourages tamariki and their whānau to walk or wheel to school.
This is the 14th year of Movin’March, and the annual tradition keeps expanding: last year also saw a record of 134 schools taking part. This year 10 schools along the Kapiti Coast participated.
It’s amazing to see students and schools embrace this initiative, which promotes wellbeing by getting the younger generation involved in active travel. In one month, tamariki and their whānau covered nearly 86,000km — that’s like travelling the length of New Zealand 41 times!
Students carry ‘passports’ and receive a stamp for each trip they walk or wheel to or from school. These passports were then submitted to a Greater Wellington prize draw. Two lucky winners from each region, a total of 12 students, received a $400 My Ride voucher.
I’m glad to be involved with recognising the hard work of tamariki and their whā nau to practise active travel. Hopefully the changes kids and their parents have made will help form habits of a lifetime.
Participating schools are provided with educational resources to teach students the benefits of walking or wheeling to school.
This year, the themes covered were wellbeing, adventure, feeling connected, being kind to the planet, and building confidence.
Walking or wheeling to school is a great way for students to form a connection to their community and environment. As a council we are committed to giving people better travel options, as these choices are important for the climate and our wellbeing as individuals.
Movin’March will be in action again in 2024.