After a four-year run under the Wednesday Challenge banner, the nationwide commuter initiative is returning in 2026 with a major expansion – introducing a new Weekday Challenge for businesses alongside the existing school programme.

Co-director Heidi Hughes said this year two sister programmes are running – The Wednesday Challenge for schools and the Weekday Challenge for businesses.

“We recognised that we can do more for the business community by creating a more flexible option for them. By creating the Weekday Challenge for businesses we provide greater flexibility for staff to choose to log healthier commuter modes as many days a week as they like,” Hughes explained.

“The more days they choose healthier travel modes, the greater the positive impact on the environment and their health and wellbeing.”

While the sister programme the Wednesday Challenge for schools will continue, with students logging just one day a week, the expanded business programme is about making small, practical changes that add up to big impact.

“Our partnership with Tauranga City Council, to enable Tauranga businesses to participate, is an important part of the challenge.

“We have some of the largest businesses in the city actively participating and they’re great advocates for the benefits of the challenge.”

The Beca team on the challenge. Photo / Supplied

Last year challenge participants across the country logged more than 954,000 journeys, saving more than 420,000 kilograms of CO₂, taking more than 300,000 cars off New Zealand roads and seeing participants cover more than 2.4 million kilometres through walking, running, biking, scootering and public transport instead of driving.

Craigs Investment Partners has been involved in the challenge since it started and has branches throughout the country taking part.

“The challenge has helped our team become more mindful of their commute choices, encouraging healthier and more sustainable modes of transport,” client and corporate communications manager Abbie Siely said.

“At an individual level, participants have noted improved mental health, better fitness, weight loss and financial savings among the benefits of taking part.”

Siely said being able to track their teams’ outcomes is a huge feature of the challenge.

“Last year alone, the challenge dashboard has calculated that our participation has resulted in 3033kg of CO₂ reductions and the equivalent of 1459 cars being taken off the road – a clear demonstration of collective action making a real difference.”

The challenge was founded by Hughes in 2022 to address road congestion and carbon emissions.

Each year new cities sign on and this year the Weekday Challenge will also launch in Whangārei.

“The Wednesday Challenge has been so successful since we launched it. Some cities are running both the Weekday Challenge for businesses and the Wednesday Challenge for schools, some have chosen which programme to run,” Hughes said.

“It gives cities the flexibility to choose which best aligns with their strategic aims.”

Hughes said at the heart of the challenge is the collective power of individuals working together for greater good.

“Our individual actions are supercharged when applied collectively. The Weekday Challenge for businesses and the Wednesday Challenge for schools is a catalyst for this. People really get it.

“They understand that this is an initiative by the people, for the people. They see that, as individuals, we can make a difference, have some fun, reap the benefits and lead by example.”

The Weekday Challenge launches for business on Monday, February 23, and the Wednesday Challenge for schools on Wednesday, February 25.

For more information visit www.weekdaychallenge.co.nz

– Supplied content