Taupo school kids take part in nationwide 'Feet first walk to school' week

The health and fitness of children in the Taupo District will get a boost when they hit the footpaths next week as part of the first nationwide Feet First Walk to School Week (March 3-7).



Around 2120 primary school children in the Taupo District will join 130,000 others from 400 schools in 43 towns, cities and districts across the country, more than double the number of participating schools and students from last year.



Feet First Walk to School Week is an annual event led by Land Transport NZ. Local schools participating include; Tongariro Area School, Mangakino Area School, St Patrick’s Catholic School, Hilltop School, Wairakei School and Tauhara School.



Taupo District Council’s Road Safety Coordinator, Christine Hutchison said everybody who takes part – children as well as parents, teachers and caregivers - will share the benefits of improved health and fitness.

“The environment will benefit from reduced air pollution from fewer vehicle emissions.”

“By leaving the car at home you’ll also save money on petrol and avoid parking hassles at the school gate,” she said.



“Walking to school also enables parents and caregivers to spend quality time with their children and helps build local communities. Children can learn valuable road safety skills, developing good habits and their independence for later on in life,” said Ms Hutchison.



The latest results from the Ministry of Transport’s ongoing household transport survey show that the proportion of New Zealand children being driven to school each day has jumped from 31 percent in 1990 to more than 50 percent now. Over the same period walking and cycling by five to 14-year-olds has dropped from an average of two hours and ten minutes per week to just under one hour and twenty minutes per week. Feet First Walk to School Week aims to help turn these figures around.



Schools taking part will be vying for prizes of Sanitarium school breakfasts and sports gear from AMI Insurance for the most participating students. Geared New Zealand will also be providing ROADWORKS high-visibility waterproof jackets as spot prizes.



The event’s momentum will be maintained through Walking Wednesdays and prizes for the classes with the highest participation during the first term.



Go to www.feetfirst.govt.nz  for more information including a full list of participating schools and events happening in Waikato region.