The event celebrates the dedication of Travel Safe and Travel Smart students, bus monitors, and road patrollers who work tirelessly throughout the year to keep their peers safe on the journey to and from school.
Among the participants is Year 6 student Imogen from Suzanne Aubert Catholic School, who proudly serves as a Travel Safe Leader and road patroller. Imogen and her classmates have been hard at work since Term 3, designing a banner for the Orange Walk. Their message – “Don’t text or you’ll be next” – shines a spotlight on the dangers of texting while driving, a risky behaviour Izzy has seen often while on road patrol.
“When we’re on road patrol, everyone is sitting on their phones and not paying attention when the traffic starts moving again,” says Imogen. “Our banner shows the consequences of texting and driving.”
Tauranga Mayor Mahé Drysdale says the Orange Walk is a chance to spotlight the important work students like Izzy are doing in their communities.
“TMNZ Orange Walk is an opportunity for student road safety volunteers from across Tauranga and the Western Bay to get out in public with their colourful banners and show the community what a great job they’re doing,” says Mahé.
“It’s wonderful to see the community, councils, police, and schools all come together to celebrate road safety. The Orange Walk is more than just wearing orange and waving banners – it’s a celebration of student leadership, community spirit, and a shared commitment to safer roads.”
The walk begins at 9.30am from Coronation Park, looping along Maunganui Road and the Pacific Avenue roundabout. The school groups will walk alongside NZ Police and Travel Safe, assisted by Tauranga City Council, Western Bay of Plenty District Council, and supported by proud naming rights sponsor TMNZ. The community is encouraged to come out and cheer on these young road safety champions.
The schools’ banners will be judged for their creativity and impact by representatives from Tauranga City Council, Western Bay of Plenty District Council, New Zealand Police and Aurecon today, with winners announced on the day of the walk.
Travel Safe is a team within Tauranga City Council that delivers road safety education across Tauranga and the Western Bay of Plenty.
View details about the temporary road closures on the day here.