Get Up and Go! Coca-cola Nz Launches Move60

Media Release

13 December, 2013 – Auckland

GET UP AND GO! 

COCA-COLA NZ LAUNCHES MOVE60, AN INITIATIVE TO GET KIWI TEENS ACTIVE

Bike NZ, FYD and Sarah Walker Help Kick Off Initiative with Exciting Bike Programme

As promised in its recently announced commitment to help get Kiwi teens active, Coca-Cola New Zealand today will introduce Move60, an overarching initiative designed to motivate Kiwis to be active for 60 minutes a day.  The Company has set its sights on inspiring 100,000 teens to get moving by 2020.

Developed in partnership with Bike NZ and the Foundation for Youth Development (FYD), today’s bike launch will see 200 teenagers from FYD’s ‘Stars’ mentoring programme gifted brand new Avanti bikes and safety gear.

Olympic BMX Silver Medalist Sarah Walker is an ambassador for Move 60, and will take the lucky recipients through a series of obstacles, skills and safety techniques. More than 400 bikes will be gifted via FYD in 2014 and the programme will extend to other initiatives across the country.  

“Getting 100,000 Kiwi teens up and moving 60 minutes a day by 2020 is a big, audacious goal,” admits Paul Fitzgerald, GM of Coca-Cola New Zealand.   “But we believe adopting a regular, active lifestyle is that important, so we’re not afraid to reach for the stars.”

A smartphone app featuring bike-centric games, challenges, competitions and rewards will launch in early 2014, keeping teens across the country engaged and excited to ride their bikes safely and socially.  Bike recipients at today’s launch will get a sneak peek at the app which is still in development, and get the opportunity to make their own suggestions on how to make it extra cool and motivating. 

Road safety is paramount to this programme and this component will be led by Bike NZ.  Each bike recipient must take part in a three hour safety and skills training session. Bike NZ and Coca-Cola will work together to connect Move60 with the wider cycling community around NZ in 2014 and beyond.

“Biking is a great way to be get from A to B and for young people to enjoy a sense of fun and freedom while enjoying healthy exercise" said Richard Leggat, chairman of Bike NZ.  “We are committed to getting more Kiwis riding bikes more often, and doing so safely.  Move60 is an excellent initiative to get more young people cycling and Bike NZ is very keen to help them develop the skills to ride safely.”

More fun and inspirational activity programmes will be introduced as part of Move 60 in the coming years to continue to encourage Kiwi teenagers to get active.

In July 2013, Coca-Cola New Zealand announced a series of commitments to help address the issue of obesity facing communities.

Coca-Cola New Zealand’s commitments are:

•          Increasing the availability of smaller portion sizes

•          Offering more low-kilojoule beverage options

•          Providing transparent nutritional information in more places

•          Helping New Zealanders to get moving by supporting physical activity programmes

• Since the announcement progress has been made against the first three commitments. These include:

•          Market penetration of 300mL PET has increased in petrol stations with 89% of the accounts now stocking it. 

•          The Company has launched Fanta Zero Orange and introduced a new flavour—Lemon-Lime—into the Powerade Zero family. 

•          More than 1000 of its vending machines have been updated to show kilojoule information for each of the products they contain.  More vending machines will be updated in the coming months.

• Move60 is the first execution against the commitment of supporting physical activity programmes.

ENDS

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