The streets of Tauranga's city centre are set to swell this week, with some of the Bay of Plenty's brightest, loudest, and youngest road safety experts.

More than 550 students will take to the streets this Friday to take part in this year's Orange Day Parade.

Dressed in orange, students will be walking the streets, chanting and waving banners to raise awareness about road safety and active travel around schools.

The Orange Day Parade celebrates primary and intermediate schools throughout Tauranga and Western Bay areas who have joined with travel safe teams and NZ Police undertaking activities such as travel smart and safe students, road patrols, traffic wardens and bus monitoring during the year.

Members of the public and local business are welcome to come out and support the students this Friday morning by cheering them on.

The parade will commence at 9.30am starting on The Strand next to the waka. Students will parade along Harington, Willow, Spring, Grey and Elizabeth Streets, back down Devonport Road to The Strand and will conclude at 10am at the Edgewater Fan on the waterfront.

Bay of Plenty Area Commander Inspector Clifford Paxton says Orange Day is a wonderful opportunity for NZ Police, partners and the community to recognise the efforts students put in to keep themselves and their fellow students safe.

'Their efforts in promoting and assisting with road safety makes a real and substantial difference to their school communities.”

Tauranga Deputy Mayor Kelvin Clout says he is impressed with local schools and how they have worked to raise awareness about road safety issues and encouraging active travel.

'Schools work closely with police and our travel safe team, developing long-term sustainable outcomes to road safety issues.

'They've created banners with important messaging covering issues they want to get across to their communities.

'Next year this wording will be used to send a pro-active message to their communities to help lift the level of road safety and active transport. I would like to thank them for their commitment.”

Banners are judged prior to the parade by a panel from NZ Police, Councillors and the Chair of the Joint Road Safety Committee. Presentations for both primary and intermediate winning categories are announced at the end of the parade.

Chairman of Joint Road Safety Committee Margaret Murray-Benge says the contribution the communities' young people make to road safety will always be important.

'Every year the Orange Day Parade provides us with the opportunity to recognise the role that the Western Bay of Plenty students play in ensuring our children are safe getting to and from school, especially when crossing the road.

'Rain, hail or shine these student leaders ensure road safety around schools, and the Joint Road Safety Committee would like to thank them for their efforts.”

Itinerary

9.15am - Schools arrive and assemble at No.1 The Strand with their banners

9.20am - Opening speeches – Inspector Clifford Paxton – Western Bay of Plenty Area Commander NZ Police and Kelvin Clout Deputy Mayor Tauranga City Council

9.30am - Local dignitaries cut ribbon and start parade

9.35am - Lead car then leads procession along roadway into Harington Street

9.38am - Procession proceeds into Willow Street

9.41am - Along Willow Street past Wharf Street

9.44am - Into Grey Street

9.48am - Turn left into Elizabeth Street

9.50am - To top of Devonport Road traffic lights turning left into Devonport Road

9.55am - Down Devonport Road into The Strand to finish at the Edgewater Fan on Tauranga waterfront

10.00am - Schools assemble for presentation of winning school banners. Police and Tauranga and Western Bay councillors to present.