Get Those Walkin' Shoes On

Ditch the wheels and get your walking shoes ready for Ziera Walk2Work Day on Wednesday 14 March.
Wellington City Council and Ziera Shoes have joined forces for this year's event, which aims to get more people walking to work instead of driving - even if it's just for part of the journey.

Mayor Celia Wade-Brown says Wellington is one of the most walkable cities in the world and, with 26 percent of Wellingtonians walking to work, it seems we love to get out on foot.

"Our compact city is easy to get around and there are great benefits of walking regularly. If you're coming in from a considerable distance, perhaps get off the bus a few stops early or park further away, and see a side of Wellington you'd normally rush past," says Mayor Wade-Brown.

Ziera Shoes Managing Director Andrew Robertson says Ziera Walk2Work Day is also a great opportunity to remind people of the importance of wearing the right kind of footwear on their daily walk to work.

"Too many people cause themselves damage by walking to work in killer heels or shoes with little support or structure. Many women make unfortunate footwear choices when walking to work to avoid wearing sports shoes with their work attire but there are options that don't sacrifice style for comfort," he says.
To help promote walking as a commuter option, the Council has an ongoing programme to upgrade walking routes.

"Linking the central city to surrounding suburbs, with improvements such as resurfacing, lighting, planting and better signs, is a priority for Wellington," says Councillor Bryan Pepperell, Portfolio Leader for Walking, Cycling, Motorcycling and Safety.

Walkers can visit the Journey Planner website to find the best route from home to work, how many calories will be burned per trip, as well as savings in healthcare, vehicle running costs and carbon emissions.

About Ziera Walk2Work Day

Walkers passing through Frank Kitts Park between 7.00 and 9.00am on Wednesday 14 March can pick up a free breakfast and be in to win great prizes. There will be various activities including group stretches led by Mish Fitness and speakers including Mayor Celia Wade-Brown. For those who can't make it to the waterfront, satellite stations will be set up on popular commuter walking routes with volunteers handing out food and coffee vouchers.