29 March 2006

Walking school buses detour to the zoo

A fleet of dedicated walking school bus goers will detour to Auckland Zoo on 10 April for five hours of wild entertainment.

Forty young walkers won the safari night prize after entering an Auckland City competition designed to reward youngsters for taking part in the walking school bus scheme.

All 35 Auckland city primary schools registered with the scheme were invited to participate in the Detour to the Zoo competition and more than 150 children entered.

The contest involved writing a creative poem in the shape of a footprint about the positive effects walking schools buses have on the environment.

Councillor Richard Simpson, Auckland City's Transport and Urban Linkages Committee chairperson, says the inaugural competition aimed to reward children registered on a walking school bus route, while encouraging others to sign up.

"Walking school buses teach children about road safety as well as how to be healthy and sociable. They also encourage youngsters to think about the benefit of walking on the environment," says Mr Simpson.

"We are pushing the message that every walking school bus is several fewer cars on the road during peak time traffic.

"Our aim is to have every primary school in Auckland involved with the scheme, particularly when 40 per cent of morning peak time traffic is education-related."

On safari night, from 5pm to 10pm, there will be a barbecue dinner, talks by keepers and a special behind-the-scenes tour of the zoo.

A colourful display of all art work from the competition will be on display at the zoo until 11 April.

ENDS

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