Several Tauranga and Western Bay of Plenty students received an unforgettable classroom visit when the Travel Safe team arrived unannounced to deliver their winning helmet designs in person.

The 2026 ‘Design Your Own Helmet’ competition attracted nearly 900 entries from 53 schools across the region, celebrating students’ creativity while reinforcing the vital role helmets play in preventing serious head injuries for people riding bikes and other modes.

The winning students were initially unsure why the Travel Safe team had appeared in their classrooms, until the surprise was revealed and they saw their own designs brought to life as real helmets.

Matua School Principal Marcus Norrish says the special presentation will inspire more budding artists next year.

“The kids absolutely love this competition and get really excited about taking part,” says Marcus. “Seeing the winning helmet revealed in class was an incredible surprise. Experiences like this really encourage other students to get involved, and I’m confident we’ll see even more entries next year.” 

Matua-Ōtūmoetai Ward Councillor Glen Crowther says the annual competition is a great way to promote such a critical safety message. 

“It’s fantastic to see students engaging so strongly with such an important road safety message,” says Glen. “Wearing a helmet is one of the simplest actions we can take to keep ourselves safe. Whether you’re riding to school, the park or a friend’s house, a helmet can seriously reduce the risk of life-changing injury or worse. It’s something everyone should be doing, every ride, every time.”

Travel Safe, who deliver road safety education across Tauranga and the Western Bay of Plenty, says the competition provides a fun and engaging way to keep helmet safety front of mind for students, families and schools across the region.

The initiative also serves as a timely reminder for families to check children’s helmets regularly, ensuring they are in good condition and fit correctly so they provide the best possible protection.

The Design Your Own Helmet competition will return in October this year. Keep an eye on Travel Safe’s Facebook page for details on how to enter.

2026 Design Your Own Helmet category winners:
Year 1 and 2 – Ethan Fourie, Ōtūmoetai Primary School
Year 3 and 4 – Laura Stevenson, Matua School
Year 5 and 6 – Charlie, Te Puna School
Year 7 and 8 – Anezka Andel, Ōtūmoetai Intermediate 
Year 9-13 – Gabriel, Bethlehem College
Teacher – Sarah Hetherington, Ōtūmoetai Intermediate

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