Relay to celebrate road safety heroes
Published on 07 May 2025
Have fun! Win prizes! Be a road safety hero! Join the Road Safety Hero Relay around the Hātea Loop. It starts near the Canopy Bridge from 1:00pm on Friday 16 May 2025.
Road Safety Week is just around the corner, and it is time for everyone to practice being a road safety hero, says Council’s Infrastructure Services Chairman, Simon Reid.
Councillor Reid is also a member of the Northland Road Safety Trust, which is banding together with Whangarei District Council, Plunket, NZ Police, Fire and Emergency NZ, Hato Hone St John, Northern Rescue Helicopters and NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi to promote road safety.
They are organising a host of activities during the week, including the very popular Road Safety Hero Relay around the Hātea Loop, starting at 1:00pm on Friday 16 May 2025.
The event kicks off from Pūtahi Park in the Town Basin (near the Canopy Bridge) and is a chance for the community to come together to learn about road safety in a whānau-friendly event.
“It is a day full of fun and awareness with a powerful message! Whether you're a speedster or a casual stroller, we want people to show their support for road safety awareness and honour the heroes who make our roads safer every day.
People can dress like a road safety hero with reflectors, capes and any other creative safety invention,” says Cr Reid.
“Bring your friends, whānau and coworkers because there’ll be trophies for fastest around the loop, most creative team around the loop and spot prizes for best-dressed heroes. Let’s make this year’s event the best one yet. Be a hero – walk the talk for road safety!
“The serious side behind the day is our roading statistics in Northland. We really need to improve them.
"Six people have died in crashes in Northland this year. Every one of those people had families and people that cared for them who are now grieving. The hurt to Northland families following crashes is huge and often lasts a lifetime.
If everyone can be a road safety hero every day, we can reduce that harm,” says Cr Reid.