Horse riders and carriage drivers across Aotearoa New Zealand will ride in solidarity with equestrians across the World this month to promote a life saving road safety message.

On 13 and 14 September, New Zealanders along with riders in the United Kingdom, Northern Ireland, Western Australia and America will collectively raise awareness about how to safely approach and pass a horse on the road.

“We are proud of the support for this mahi, both in communities where rides will go out, and from organisations that understand the benefit of the positive driver behaviour change we are leading.

Horse riders are vulnerable road users, just like cyclists and pedestrians, and yet until the creation of the permanent road safety platform – Pass Wide and Slow New Zealand – there has been little to no road safety education for this road user group,” says PWASNZ Founder, Julia McLean

Kotahitanga – unity is a Māori philosophy that underpins our approach to improving road safety outcomes for equestrians, and our relationship with NZ Police is significant in achieving this.

“We continue to encourage all road users about the shared responsibility to keep everyone safe. Pass Wide and Slow New Zealand’s efforts to educate and raise awareness of safe and respectful behaviours when travelling past horses and riders is one Police continues to support.” Superintendent Steve Greally, Director of Road Policing

Police have an ongoing commitment to reducing the number of deaths and serious injuries on our roads and ensuring every road user, including equestrians, remain safe on roads right throughout the country. NZ Police

PWASNZ rides will take place in close to 30 communities across the Motū, with a focus on sharing the message to pass wide and slow - kia tūpato kia āta haere, and ‘being seen’ in high vis.

“As the brand and marketing arm of PWASNZ, we appreciate the collaborative relationships we have established to help share this important road safety message. Fonterra’s recent investment in hi-vis vests, a two page spread in the Foundation Rider Magazine, or Motivation Design where our resources can be purchased. With no budget but a resolve to not see further loss of life or injury, we are two wāhine working very hard and covering a lot of ground,” says Eve Leniston-Howell.

List of official Pass Wide & Slow Awareness Rides 2025

Amberley - Cambridge - Cust - Dannevirke - Fairlie - Greymouth - Hastings - Hokianga- Hokitika - Kaitaia- Mākara Pony Club - Manawaru - Māpua - Martinborough - New Plymouth - Ōhāriu Valley - Onslow Pony Club - Ōpōtiki - Oxford - Raglan- Tasman - Tauranga- Te Kaha - Uawa - Waimakariri - Wellington City - Westport

Background to the kaupapa

In June, 2025 PWASNZ presented new evidence to Parliament’s Select Committee on the number of people killed whilst riding or driving a horse drawn vehicle on the road. Health NZ figures show between 2000 – 2021 41 people between 10-79 years have died. Worksafe NZ has a further three fatalities on its books for 2022. Road Transport data shows 8 equestrian fatalities between 1980 - 2024.

PWASNZ has asked that data gathering methods be reviewed. The presentation was an extension of work to support the case Julia McLean researched and outlined in a submission to Politicians for horse riders to be formally recognised as Vulnerable Road Users in Transport Legislation. Updates will be released at passwideandslow.co.nz and PWASNZ Facebook.

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