Encouraging students to try different ways of getting to school

A109 Light Utility Helicopter flight with mayor Gisborne City from the air in November 2023.

A major new schools initiative, the Wednesday Challenge, is set to launch in Tairāwhiti next week aimed at encouraging families to use healthier, more fun and sustainable transport for their daily journeys. Tairāwhiti Environment Centre chair, Harley Dibble, says it’s about encouraging positive change.

“The Wednesday Challenge is an initiative rolling out across the country. In Tairāwhiti we are launching a pilot of the programme from September to the end of November to encourage students trying a different way to get to and from school.  If we can reduce the number of students who are dropped off and picked up in cars, we can have a positive impact on congestion at school gates and students’ health and wellbeing.”

Students in participating schools are encouraged, where they can, to opt for alternative, more environmentally friendly modes like biking, walking, running, catching a bus, skateboarding or carpooling with other families instead of being driven to and from school.

“There are a host of benefits that come with the initiative, from environmental to health and wellbeing,” Harley said.

“Schools that take part will log their students’ journeys each Wednesday and if the students opt for good modes, they will earn points for their school and the chance to share in a prize pool of funding for the winning schools to spend on resources of their choice. We appreciate we are asking students, parents and whānau to have a go at changing their routines.  So, we want to reward them.”

Wainui Beach School, Kaiti School, Central School, Gisborne Girls’ High School, Lytton High School and Gisborne Boys’ High School have already signed up for the Challenge with more schools in discussion.

Wainui Beach School principal, Nolian Andrew, says they’re ideally placed as a community to have tamariki walk, cycle, skateboard or scooter to school.

“At the moment over 70 percent of our tamariki are arriving at school by car. There are congestion issues at our school gate and environmental issues.  But we know many of our tamariki already own a bike and cycle at the weekend, so we are keen for parents to drop them off at Zephyr Cafe or the bus shelter by Pines so they can participate for at least part of their journey to school.”

Tairāwhiti Environment Centre has been an environmental advocate in the region since 1990, focusing on education, waste minimisation and biodiversity. In more recent years it has established itself as an umbrella organisation for multiple conservation projects. Harley says the challenge aligns well with the centre’s priorities — and is an exciting addition.

“Tairāwhiti Environment Centre applied to the Hoe ki angitū – Innovation Fund in 2022 to run the Wednesday Challenge. It applied with the support of the Gisborne Chamber of Commerce, East Cape Healthy Families, and Rau Tipu Rau Ora. The pilot now also has the support of Gisborne District Council and the Tairāwhiti Adventure Trust.  We believe our application was successful because the Wednesday Challenge meets their criteria to fund innovative programmes that seek to reduce emissions, encourage mode shift and increase accessible and equitable transport options.”

Sarah Somerton, Wednesday Challenge Tairāwhiti Schools project manager, says the funding creates a unique opportunity for the region.

“It allows us to roll out a community initiative that we may not have otherwise been able to fund. It provides an opportunity to look at the needs of rural and isolated communities, communities that face barriers to participation, and to deliver a project that is reflective of and responsive to Tairāwhiti.”

“We are drawing on the learning from Tauranga and developing aspects of the programme to cater to our region’s specific needs in terms of alternative transport options.  It is very much a community initiative, and we are having kōrero with local community organisations and individuals to ensure we work collaboratively to roll the programme out across as many schools as wish to participate.”

The Wednesday Challenge was first launched in Tauranga during 2022 as a pilot programme.  Co-director Heidi Hughes says following the success of the Tauranga pilot, towns and cities across New Zealand are now keen to explore the programme for their community.

“The challenge not only delivers environmental benefits in terms of carbon emission reductions, it also works to reduce road congestion, improve safety on our streets and deliver substantive health and wellbeing benefits for the community.  So, we’re absolutely delighted to have Tairāwhiti region leading the roll-out across New Zealand with the schools’ programme launching next week.”

The Wednesday Challenge launches in Tairāwhiti schools from Wednesday September 6.