Now in its sixth year in Tauranga, the Wednesday Challenge is proving that meaningful behaviour change doesn’t happen overnight, it happens through consistency.

Across participating schools, logging the journey to school each Wednesday has become a trusted, weekly habit that is reshaping how students travel, connect, and lead.

Running in other cities across New Zealand, the Wednesday Challenge encourages students to opt for healthy modes of transport to and from school including walking, biking, scootering, public transport and carpooling with other families. By doing so congestion at the school gates is reduced, along with carbon emissions, and the students are improving their health and well-being.

At Selwyn Ridge Primary School, the transformation has been both measurable and cultural.

Since joining the programme in July 2023, the school has shifted from 41% of students using active and shared transport modes to an average of 53%.

At the same time, school gate drop-offs have reduced significantly, from 59% down to just 18%, with a further 29% of students now opting for Park & Stride options. Walking rates alone have increased from 23% to an average of 34%, peaking at an impressive 48%.

But beyond the numbers, the real impact is being felt in the school community. Selwyn Ridge Primary School Associate Principal Kim Abbott says the Challenge has become part of 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 everyone to get actively travelling, with plenty of friendly competition along the way. They create educational and uplifting messages to share across our kura and wider community.”

Kim says the programme has given senior tamariki a chance to be leaders and change makers in a unique way.

“They’ve had opportunities to influence our school, community, and environment through purposeful planning, sparking conversations about health and sustainability, and taking action together. It has also opened doors for students who might not usually put themselves forward, offering a space to grow confidence and leadership as Wednesday Challenge champions.”

A similar story is unfolding at Matua School, where commitment to the Challenge has remained strong.

Having started the programme in August 2022 with 60% of students using sustainable travel modes, the school built that to 70% by the start of Term 1 2025. Across the year, students have averaged 66% active and shared transport use, with many choosing to walk or cycle regardless of the weather.

Cycling, in particular, has surged; from 15% to 28%, giving Matua School the highest proportion of student cyclists across all Wednesday Challenge schools nationwide.

Wednesday Challenge Schools’ Programme Coordinator, Anna Mosley, says the results are extremely encouraging.

“I think they reflect a broader shift across Tauranga, with schools, families, and communities increasingly recognising the benefits of active travel. From reducing congestion at school gates to saving money on fuel, building skills and improving student well-being there are many positives and we are delighted Tauranga schools are embracing the Challenge.”

The Wednesday Challenge Tauranga is supported by Bay Trust and TECT.

For more information visit www.wednesdaychallenge.co.nz

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