Wairarapa Goes All-In for Road Safety Week 2025: Be a Road Safety Hero

From ice scrapers and superhero capes to high-vis vests and brand-new information stations, Road Safety Week 2026 (4–10 May) was a week to remember for communities right across Wairarapa. Under the national theme Be a Road Safety Hero, local road safety champions pulled out all the stops — launching new resources, reaching tamariki in schools and early childhood centres, and building lasting infrastructure to keep the conversation going year-round.

Road Safety Week is always one of the highlights of our calendar, but this year felt extra special. We’ve been working hard behind the scenes to build something bigger and more connected for our community — and this week was the perfect moment to bring it all to life.

— Holly Hullena, Projects Coordinator

A New Home for Road Safety in Wairarapa

The week marked the launch of a brand-new website — a dedicated digital home for all things road safety in the region. Alongside it came a refreshed logo and visual identity, signalling a renewed commitment to keeping Wairarapa’s roads safe. A new community newsletter also made its debut, giving residents a regular touchpoint for road safety news, tips, and events.

“We wanted a space where anyone — whether you’re a parent, a school, a business, or a driver — can easily find the information they need. The new website and newsletter are just the beginning,” says Holly.

Road Safety Information Stations: Coming to a Community Near You

One of the most exciting developments of the week was the rollout of Road Safety Information Stations — physical hubs designed to make road safety resources accessible in everyday community spaces. Stations are now live at:

•       Wairarapa Events Centre

•       Heartlands Martinborough

•       REAP Wairarapa

•       FreshChoice Greytown (installation underway)

Do you have an upcoming event and want to make use of one of the stations? Get in touch with us — we’d love to help bring road safety to your community.

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550 High-Vis Vests for Rural Bus Students

Thanks to generous funding from Kinetic Group (Go Bus), 550 high-visibility vests were distributed to rural bus students across Wairarapa. For Tamariki travelling along quiet country roads in the early mornings and late afternoons, being seen is everything. It’s a simple measure that makes a real difference.

“Seeing those 550 vests go out to students was a real highlight. A huge thank you to Kinetic Group for making that possible. Every child who steps off a bus in high-vis is a safer child,” reflects Holly.

Schools Step Up as Road Safety Heroes

Schools across the region embraced the hero theme with enthusiasm, hosting activations and putting their Road Patrols front and centre. The Road Patrol Super Hero Day was a standout — young monitors donning capes and celebrating the vital role they play in keeping their peers safe every single day.

And the winner of the coveted Road Safety Team pizza lunch? Lakeview School — well deserved! A big thank you to every school that took part and shared their mahi. Your commitment to road safety doesn’t go unnoticed.

Travelling with Tiaki in Early Childhood

The NZTA Education Team’s brand-new resource Travelling with Tiaki was introduced to Early Childhood Education (ECE) centres throughout the week, available in both te reo Māori and English. The resource supports kaiako to weave road safety into everyday learning in a way that is meaningful, culturally responsive, and age-appropriate.

Car Seat Clinics, Police Checkpoints & Winter Driving Tips

Practical, on-the-ground safety was a big focus throughout the week. Highlights included:

•       Three car seat clinics held in Masterton, Carterton, and Featherston — helping whānau ensure their little ones are correctly restrained.

•       Police checkpoints across the region, reminding drivers of their responsibilities on the road.

•       Ice scrapers and winter driving information shared on The Breeze Wairarapa, helping motorists prepare for the colder months ahead.

“Road Safety Week is a team effort — and what a team we have in Wairarapa. From our partners and funders to our schools, ECEs, police, and community organisations, every single person who took part is a road safety hero. We can’t wait to keep building on this momentum.”

— Holly Hullena, Projects Coordinator

Road Safety Week is an annual campaign promoted by Brake NZ. For more information visit brake.org.nz/road-safety-week

To enquire about Road Safety Information Stations or any of our programmes, please get in touch.

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