Walk2Work Day

Wellington region mayors put their best forward on Walk2Work Wednesday this week as they promote the health benefits of walking. Regular physical activity like walking to work every day is a key to preventing many diseases and being healthy.

CCDHB diabetes nurse Tess who will be at the Wellington waterfront event to give pedestrians health advice, says ‘Regular physical activity is one of the key ways to prevent diabetes, we recommend 30 minutes of moderate activity a day. This together with a healthy diet and maintaining a good weight is your best way to prevent disease, and, to feel better walking out in the community.’

Porirua’s Nick Leggett will be breakfasting with school children before walking with them to school, and Upper Hutt’s Wayne Guppy will be sharing a cuppa with passing pedestrians near the Upper Hutt council offices.

Wellington’s Mayor Celia Wade-Brown is often seen out on her bike but is also a regular walker and on Wednesday will be walking to work through Newtown to the city, stopping to share the free breakfast on the waterfront. And you don’t have to be in a big town to walk, Carterton’s Mayor Ron Mark walks to work every day.

With more than a third of New Zealand children and more than a third of adults overweight, and another third obese the cost of physical inactivity is high. A report last year showed Wellington region paid more than $140 million a year as a result.

Walk2Work Day is the national day to celebrate walking and is an initiative of Living Streets Aotearoa. Living Streets Aotearoa is New Zealand’s national walking and pedestrian organisation, providing a positive voice for people on foot and working to promote walking friendly planning and development around the country. Our vision is “More people choosing to walk more often and enjoying public places”.

Events are held around the region and throughout New Zealand on the morning of 12 March to celebrate and encourage walking.

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