Safer School Travel in the Wairarapa
Services > Safer School Travel
At the Wairarapa Road Safety Council, we work closely with our communities, local councils, schools, Police, and Greater Wellington Regional Council to help keep tamariki and rangatahi safe on their journeys to and from school.
Why School Travel Safety Matters
According to Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency, children are most at risk as pedestrians during school peak times — between 7am–9am and 2pm–4pm. That’s why we support a wide range of road safety initiatives across the Wairarapa — from Masterton to Martinborough — aimed at making school travel safer, healthier, and more active.
How We Help Keep School Routes Safe
We support schools and wh?nau in creating safer environments by:
- Designing safer walking and cycling routes to school
- Supporting school road patrols
- Helping schools develop safe drop-off and pick-up zones
- Encouraging safe parking practices near school gates
- Improving visibility and safety at crossing points
- Working with councils to reduce speeds around schools
- Promoting active transport options like walking, biking, and scootering
- Supporting local Police enforcement around schools during peak times
Speed Limits Around Schools
In line with national changes to speed management, Wairarapa councils are progressively introducing 30 km/h speed limits around schools. These may be permanent or variable (active during pick-up/drop-off times).
We support these changes through education, signage campaigns, and community engagement to ensure safer traffic speeds near school zones.
Active Travel – Healthier and Safer Journeys
Active travel includes walking, biking, scootering or skateboarding to school. It helps reduce traffic congestion at school gates and promotes healthier lifestyles.
We encourage active travel through:
- Supporting schools to set up Walking School Buses
- Running Walk to School days and events
- Promoting the Movin’ Marchinitiative each year across Wairarapa primary and intermediate schools.
- Sharing best practice resources from Kura Kete (Greater Wellington Regional Council)
- Supporting Bikes in Schools programmes and infrastructure
These initiatives help build confidence, independence, and road awareness in young people.
Bike Skills & Safety
We coordinate and support free cycle training for schools through:
- Pedal Ready: A regional cycle skills training programme delivered in schools across Masterton, Carterton, and South Wairarapa.
- Bikes in Schools: Supporting schools with on-site bike tracks, helmets, and bikes to encourage regular riding.
- BikeReady: A national programme promoting safe cycling and road sharing.
Learn more:
- [Pedal Ready](https://www.pedalready.org.nz)
- [BikeReady](https://www.bikeready.govt.nz)
- [Bikes in Schools](https://bikeon.org.nz/bikes-in-schools/)
Get Involved or Raise a Concern
If your school is interested in starting a road safety initiative or if you have concerns about road safety near your school, we’d love to hear from you.
Contact us at: rsc@wairsc.org.nz
Call us on: 06 377 1379
Together, we can make school journeys safer, healthier, and more enjoyable for every child in the Wairarapa.
downloadable resources
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For access to our Schools Google Folder FULL of resources to help you click HERE. This folder includes messages for newsletters, ideas, specific areas of focus & lesson plans - along with links to our partner resources - it's your one stop shop!
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Stopping and Parking outside Schools
When children arrive or leave school each day, your driving behaviour can protect them or endanger them.
Parking rules around your school are there to protect children and increase visibility both for pedestrians and drivers.
Please Do:
- Park legally & away from the school gates.
- Use the crossings & walk the short distance to school.
- Use the car doors on the footpath side.
- Use bright or hi viz jackets and backpacks.
- Talk with your children about ‘sneaky’ driveways, how fast cars go and safe places to cross.
Please Don’t:
- Call out to your kids to cross the road!
- Double park or park on yellow lines.
- Block footpaths or driveways.
- Speed near our schools!
Local Police CAN and WILL issue tickets to drivers who do not drive and park legally and safely
DID YOU KNOW: If you choose to stop or park illegally you are liable for the following fines:
Stopped/parked on broken yellow lines - $100
Stopped/parked on or within 6 metres of a pedestrian crossing - $100
Stopped/parked on the footpath - $70
Stopped/parked over or within 1 metre of a vehicle entrance - $70
Parked within 500mm of a fire hydrant with no one in a car legally capable of moving it - $70
Stopped or parked closer than 6 metres to a bus stop marked only by a sign or on a marked bus stop - $70
Double parked - $100
Any stopping or parking that is inconsiderate to other road users, inclusive of pedestrians - $100
Stopped or parked in or within 6 metres of an Intersection - $100
Parked on disabled car parks with permit not showing - $750
Parked across a line marking a space - $70