Te Waka Hīkoi Walking School Bus
Leading a Walking School Bus project at your school.
Akoranga takamua Before You Begin
Consider how you might use this activity alongside Walkability, Map my Journey, Walking Pou or Park and Stride.
About this resourceThis resource is written for teachers who want to support a student-led project to set up a walking school bus (WSB) at their school. This may have come about because there are congestion or road safety issues. Or teachers may want to support a student leadership project that sets up a WSB for student wellbeing or in response to the climate crisis. |
(2.2 MB, Pdf) |
Steps for student-led projectThis supplementary resource provides a step-by-step guide for kura (schools) who are interested in setting up a Walking School Bus (WSB). It is intended to be led by ākonga (students), with support from whānau (family). |
(1.2 MB, Pdf) |
Supporting resources and links
You may hear a Walking School Bus referred to as a Walking Train, Scooter Train or by various names in Te Reo Māori.
While Wellington City uses Pahi ā-Waewaeopen_in_new on their signage, for our resources we use Te Waka Hīkoi.
Auckland Transport uses Te Hīkoi Kura Pahiopen_in_new and you may see other names around the rohe.
Some kura even have Bike Trainsopen_in_new or Bike Buses!
- Active Travel Action resourceopen_in_new – choose from three lessons that explore how kaitiakitanga, manaakitanga, citizenship and mauri can support this WSB resource.
- Share with ākonga the Education Gazette storyopen_in_new of Berhampore School setting up a WSB.
- Talk to your Enviroschools’ facilitatoropen_in_new for guidance on connecting with mana whenua. You could think about expectations around their role, level of commitment and how their involvement would support iwi aspirations.
(278 KB, Pdf)How a WSB works?
Why volunteers love WSB?
Benefits of a WSB
Sneaky driveways
Crossing at pedestrian refuge
- Waka Kotahi NZTA’s WSB resourcesopen_in_new include guidelines, roster templates and consent forms.
- Waka Kotahi NZTA’s WSB Coordinator’s Guideopen_in_new (pdf) has useful safety tips and guidelines.
- Get in touch with your local police station to find out who your Police School Community Officeropen_in_new is.
- Parent volunteers will need to be police vettedopen_in_new. Hi viz vests may need to be sourced. Talk to your local council for suggestions on funding of these.
What's next?
Paraia Taku Ara Map my Journey
What is the safest route to school?
Related Lessons
Rārangi Hīkoi Walkability Checklist
How walkable is your school neighbourhood?
Te Haerenga o ngā Tamariki The Children's Journey
A step-by-step guide for teachers to sign up to using Te Haerenga o ngā Tamariki, an online tool that lets students enter their own travel data.
Te Taiao Environment
Mā raro, mā wīra rānei nā te mea he pai ake mō te taiao!
I walk or wheel because it’s good for the environment!
Te Taiao is the Movin'March focus for 2025.