School students march for road safety

Kāpiti school students paraded through Paraparaumu today celebrating the hard work they’ve put into keeping roads safe around their schools. 

Nearly 280 students from 10 schools between Ōtaki and Raumati took part in the Orange Day School Patrol Parade, which is hosted by Kāpiti Coast District Council and Police. 

The event sees year 5 and 6 student road patrollers parading through Paraparaumu wearing high-visibility orange vests and waving banners promoting a positive road safety message.

Students marched alongside their teachers, parents, police and council staff from Coastlands Aquatic Centre along Iver Trask Place and across Rimu Road to gather outside Coastlands by the cinema entrance.

Mayor Ross Church – who led the parade with Councillor Penny Gaylor – says it’s important to acknowledge the students and schools’ efforts. 

“These kids are the future leaders in keeping our roads safe and they do a great job. It gives them a sense of responsibility, pride and achievement, and they’re making Kāpiti a safer place.”

Council’s Transport Safety Co-ordinator Bruce Johnston says the parade is about more than just students donning orange vests and marching to the movies.

“It’s about celebrating the children who have volunteered throughout the year to help support road safety at our schools and in our district. It’s a big thank you to the students for their efforts as road patrollers and to the schools for sharing the road safety message.”

A judging of banners and a presentation took place after the parade and the students then enjoyed a movie and lunch.

Road safety message banner winner – Kapanui School

School Patrol of the Year – Raumati South Primary School

School Patrollers of the Year

Ōtaki College – Hetal Petal

Kapanui School – Karl Reicht

Kena Kena School – Jesse Cameron-Bennett

Raumati South – Michael Power

Paraparaumu Beach Primary School – Kenneth Wong

Paraparaumu School - Jaida Brown

Ōtaki Primary School – Jessica Ngan

Raumati Beach Primary – Annabelle Murtage-Broekman

Waikanae School – Lachlan Gardner

St Patricks School – Josephine Brooking

Te Kura-ā-Iwi o Whaka and Waitohu School – Did not submit a school patrollers of the year