News
The latest news and information from Toi Te Ora Public Health Service.
11th of March 2009
11.3.2009 - Whakatane walkers celebrate pounding the pavement
Eastern Bay residents are joining thousands from around New Zealand to celebrate walking to work this month. Walk2Work Day, being held next Wednesday 18 March, promotes the positive benefits of walking for the body, environment and pocket.
People throughout New Zealand are leaving their cars at home and walking to work with friends, family and colleagues. Toi Te Ora – Public Health and Whakatane District Council are teaming up with Pathway2Health, Sustainable Living New Zealand, Foot Mechanics and Living Streets Aotearoa to run an event in Whakatane.
“We have a healthy breakfast and giveaways for people who walk to work to reward them for ditching their car for active transport,” says Toi Te Ora – Public Health, Regional Manager, Graeme Savage. “We’re encouraging people to incorporate walking into their daily commute, whether it’s walking all or part the way.”
The free breakfast for walkers is from 7:30am – 8:30am at Margaret Mahy Square, outside the Whakatane Library. There are many giveaways and everyone goes into the draw to win a new pair of sports shoes and a $95 biomechanical assessment from Foot Mechanics.
Eastern Bay participants in the active transport e-series run by Toi Te Ora – Public Health earlier this year are taking part, as well as people involved in Pathway 2 Health’s Business Battle.
“We are promoting walkable, healthy and safe communities,” says Eastern Bay of Plenty PHO, Walk 2 Health coordinator, John Voyle. “There will be a large map where people can work out how long it will take them to walk to work to show them how do-able it is.”
