The Wednesday Challenge has celebrated a milestone year, with participants in schools and businesses across the country logging more than 954,000 journeys, saving more than 420,000kg of CO₂.

The Wednesday Challenge encouraged people to choose more environmentally friendly and healthier travel modes to and from work and school on a Wednesday, and has been running this year in Auckland, Tauranga, Hamilton, Christchurch, and Gisborne/Tairāwhiti.

This year, the challenge saw participants cover more than 2.4 million kilometres through walking, running, biking, scootering, and public transport instead of driving.

Founder and co-director Heidi Hughes said, four years in, the challenge continued to demonstrate bigger outcomes.

“Last year’s results show the power of small daily choices adding up to extraordinary change. It’s pretty exciting to be able to engage thousands of school students and staff in businesses, who are proving that small everyday actions can create nationwide impact.”

Selwyn Ridge Primary School in Tauranga was one of 58 schools in cities across the country taking part.

They achieved one of the most significant drops in the number of families dropping their kids off at the school gate.

“They started the year with benchmark data showing 52% of students were being dropped off in a car, at the school gate and they have reduced that down to just 18%,” Hughes explained.

“Our tamariki are engaging in learning through fun and leading the charge on adopting healthier travel modes. It’s so good to see.”

Associate principal Kim Abbot said being part of the Wednesday Challenge has become woven into the identity of their kura at Selwyn Ridge.

“Being part of the national Wednesday Challenge programme has given our 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.”

For businesses, being part of the Wednesday Challenge business programme was about leading by example.

The Trade Me Auckland team who took out 9th place overall in the Auckland Challenge and 20th overall nationally. Photo / Supplied

Craigs Investment Partners have been involved in the business wing of the Wednesday Challenge since it started and has branches throughout the country taking part.

“The challenge has helped our team become more mindful of their commute choices, encouraging healthier and more sustainable modes of transport,” client and corporate communications manager Abbie Siely said.

“At an individual level, participants have noted improved mental health, better fitness, weight loss and financial savings among the benefits of taking part.”

Siely said being able to track their team’s outcomes was a huge feature of the challenge.

“This year alone, the Wednesday Challenge dashboard has calculated that our participation has resulted in 3033 kg of CO₂ reductions and the equivalent of 1459 cars taken off the road – a clear demonstration of collective action making a real difference.”

Looking ahead to 2026, the programme was expanding again.

“We are looking to bring on board more cities and towns and introducing additional features, including smart dashboards for schools and businesses to drill down into more stats on the health and wellbeing and sustainability outcomes of their participation,” Hughes said.

At the heart of the challenge, was the collective power of individuals working together for the greater good.

“Each journey, logged on the c represents one more person moving toward a healthier, cleaner Aotearoa.

“The Wednesday Challenge continues to demonstrate that when communities, schools, and workplaces unite behind a shared purpose, the results extend beyond kilometres and carbon, to building stronger, healthier, more connected places to live and work.”

The Wednesday Challenge launches again in February next year. For more info, visit: www.wednesdaychallenge.co.nz

-Supplied content