A Tauranga primary school has cut its gate drop-offs by 40% in three years by joining a city-wide initiative that encourages residents to ditch private vehicle use for healthier transport options.

Selwyn Ridge School joined the Wednesday Challenge in Schools programme in 2023.

Gate drop-offs have reduced from 59% to 18% – and a further 29% of students now opt for Park and Stride options.

The school reported that walking rates had also increased from 23% to an average of 34% in that time, peaking at 48%. Moreover, the statistics contributed to the school shifting from 41% of students using active and shared transport modes to an average of 53%.

The programme encourages students to use active and shared transport options each Wednesday, including walking, biking, scootering, public transport and car-pooling.

The programme had been run in Tauranga for six years facilitated by the Travel Safe team – a community-focused road safety initiative run by Tauranga City Council in partnership with police, Waka Kotahi (NZ Transport Agency) and Western Bay of Plenty District Council, supported by Bay Trust and TECT.

Selwyn Ridge School associate principal Kim Abbott said the programme had become part of the school’s identity.

“Our tamariki join the Travel Safe team and take the lead in encouraging everyone to get actively travelling, with plenty of friendly competition along the way.

“They create educational and uplifting messages to share across our kura and wider community.”

Abbott said the initiative had also created leadership opportunities for the Selwyn Ridge’s senior students.

“They’ve had opportunities to influence our school, community and environment through purposeful planning, sparking conversations about health and sustainability, and taking action together.

“It has also opened doors for students who might not usually put themselves forward, offering a space to grow confidence and leadership as Wednesday Challenge champions.”

The Wednesday Challenge, which has a business and a schools programme, is run in cities across New Zealand to reduce congestion, lower carbon emissions and improve residents’ wellbeing.

Similarly, fellow city kura Matua School had also seen strong results through the school programme.

Cycling rates had increased from 15% to 28% – which is the highest proportion of student cyclists across all Wednesday Challenge schools nationwide.

Wednesday Challenge Schools’ programme co-ordinator Anna Mosley said the results were extremely encouraging.

“I think they reflect a broader shift across Tauranga, with schools, families and communities increasingly recognising the benefits of active travel,” she said.

“From reducing congestion at school gates to saving money on fuel, building skills and improving student wellbeing, there are many positives, and we are delighted Tauranga schools are embracing the Challenge.”

For more information, visit www.wednesdaychallenge.co.nz