Hundreds of tamariki across Porirua are expected to swap car rides for walking shoes, bikes and bus passes this month as Movin’March returns for its 17th year.
The month-long Māehe Manawa Ora Movin’March initiative, run by Greater Wellington Regional Council, encourages students in Years 0 to 8 to walk, wheel or bus to and from school throughout March.
The programme aims to build healthy travel habits early while helping reduce emissions from the daily school run.
Last year, more than 35,500 students from 134 schools across the Wellington region took part. Several Porirua schools have been regular participants, turning the journey to school into a social and active start to the day.
A nine-year-old student from Ngāti Toa School said biking with friends was the highlight.
“The best part of Movin’March is biking to school with my friends. Biking keeps me fit and healthy and gets the blood moving in the morning,” the student said.
Greater Wellington councillor Yadana Saw said while students are the face of Movin’March, teachers and school staff are central to its success.
“Movin’March is supported by Greater Wellington, but it’s teachers and school staff who really make it happen,” Saw said.
“They’re out early welcoming tamariki and helping them build skills that set them up for healthy, confident and independent travel. It’s also a great way for kids to build confidence in their neighbourhoods and how they get around.”
Greater Wellington Travel Choice team leader Hilleke Townsend said classroom challenges and learning activities are designed to spark conversation about everyday transport choices.
“Kura Kete learning resources highlight key benefits of active travel and use tools like Te Haerenga o Ngā Tamariki to anonymously record travel data and show why active travel is a positive choice,” Townsend said.
This year, classes can record trips on a wall chart and work together to win prizes including Micro scooters, MyRide bike gear and class trips to Zealandia or Staglands.
Registered schools receive posters in English, te reo Māori and Pasifika languages, along with classroom activities and prize packs filled with colouring pencils, notebooks, pens and socks.
Organisers say even small daily changes can add up to big benefits for Porirua tamariki, their whānau and the wider community.