Velda Walters uses a train to come in from the Hutt Valley and then walks from the Wellington Railway Station to Newtown every day, come rain or shine. She's just moved from working at the Wellington Hospital to the Mary Potter Hospice but is keen to keep up her exercise. A change of clothes and shoes kept at the office helps make walking a practical and comfortable option.
The walk helps Velda unwind from her interesting and at times stressful role working with acutely ill people before she gets home. Velda is a New Zealand born Cook Islander. She reckons she's as fit as she's ever been thanks to 30 minutes at the beginning and end of each working day. Usually she walks briskly but sometimes takes a more relaxing stroll, depending on the weather. She finds other walkers friendly and often recognises fellow "commuters-by-foot" along the waterfront.
Cr Iona Pannett walks from Mt Victoria to Civic Square and various other locations around the city.
The friendly 33-year-old generally walks seven days a week. She sometimes catches a bus or, for tricky journeys, occasionally a taxi.
She loves walking along the waterfront and is pleased she can keep fit and
minimise her impact on the environment at the same time.
Maureen
lives in Island Bay and likes to get off the bus a few stops early to walk to
work in town. She thinks that all the "everyday" walking she's done over recent
years has made her fit for more! Maureen really enjoys longer walks such as the
Rimutaka incline and Round the Vine 10 km walk in Martinborough.
Mayor
Kerry Prendergast enjoys the brisk walk from her Oriental Bay apartment to
the Town Hall twice a week. She really enjoys the waterfront promenade. "I walk
to unwind, keep fit and because it's really convenient," says the busy Mayor.
She also feels it's a small contribution towards reducing her carbon footprint.
The mayor sets a great example by walking to work. She is working with her
colleagues to develop walking strategies at Wellington City Council and supports
funding for a thorough household travel survey.
Cr Andy
Foster runs from Karori to City Council 2 or 3 times a week, which he
says isn't often enough! His shortest route only takes 17minutes but he
likes to vary the journey via Wellington's Green Belt up to 30 mins, 45 mins,
1 hr or, too rarely, even 2 hours.
Andy says,"What I like best is feeling good at the end of the run and getting into the bush."
His reasons for not using the car include exercise, enjoyment, getting away from 'it' , and "It's good not to use the car for environmental reasons."
He would encourage more people to Walk2Work by removing barriers to walking, culture change, special events, leadership and making attractive routes. Isn't it great that he's leads the Urban Development and Transport Portfolio at Council?