Tauranga schools are embedding lasting behaviour change through the Wednesday Challenge, a programme now in its fifth year locally.

The initiative encourages students to use active or shared transport to and from school each Wednesday, including walking, cycling, scootering, public transport and carpooling.

The goal is to reduce congestion at school gates, cut carbon emissions, and improve student health and wellbeing.

At Selwyn Ridge Primary School, the impact has been both measurable and cultural since joining the programme in July 2023.

Active and shared transport use has risen from 41% to an average of 53%, while traditional school gate drop-offs have dropped from 59% to just 18%.

A further 29% of students now use Park & Stride options, and walking rates have increased from 23% to an average of 34%, peaking at 48%.

In a media release, associate principal Kim Abbott said the initiative was now embedded in the school’s identity.

“Being part of the Wednesday Challenge has become woven into the identity of our kura.

“Our tamariki join the Travel Safe team and take the lead in encouraging active travel, with plenty of friendly competition along the way.”

Abbott said the programme also created leadership opportunities for senior students.

“They’ve had opportunities to influence our school and community through purposeful planning, sparking conversations about health and sustainability, and taking action together.

“It has also opened doors for students who might not usually step forward, building confidence as Wednesday Challenge champions.”

Matua School was seeing similar results.

Since starting the programme in August 2022, the school has lifted sustainable travel rates from 60% to 70% by the beginning of Term 1, 2025, with a yearly average of 66%.

Cycling has grown significantly, rising from 15% to 28%, giving Matua School the highest proportion of student cyclists among Wednesday Challenge schools nationwide.

Wednesday Challenge Schools’ programme co-ordinator Anna Mosley said the results reflected a wider shift across Tauranga.

“These results show growing recognition of the benefits of active travel. From reducing congestion at school gates to saving on fuel and improving wellbeing, there are clear positives for schools and communities.”

The Wednesday Challenge was also running in centres across New Zealand and is supported locally by Bay Trust and TECT.

More information is available at www.wednesdaychallenge.co.nz.