Horse riders and carriage drivers across Aotearoa, New Zealand will ride in solidarity with equestrians across the world this month to promote a life-saving road safety message.
On 13 and 14 September, New Zealanders, along with riders in the United Kingdom, Northern Ireland, Western Australia and America, will collectively raise awareness about how to safely approach and pass a horse on the road. The action forms part of a global campaign to back road safety, led in New Zealand by Pass Wide and Slow founder Julia McLean.
“We are proud of the support for this mahi, both in communities where rides will go out, and from organisations that understand the benefit of the positive driver behaviour change we are leading.
“Horse riders are vulnerable road users, just like cyclists and pedestrians, and yet until the creation of the permanent road safety platform – Pass Wide and Slow New Zealand – there has been little to no road safety education for this road user group,” says Julia.
In June, PWASNZ presented new evidence to Parliament’s Select Committee on the number of people killed while riding or driving a horse-drawn vehicle on the road. Health NZ figures showed between 2000 – 2021, 41 people between 10-79 years had died, and Worksafe NZ had a further three fatalities on its books for 2022. Road Transport data shows eight equestrian fatalities between 1980 – 2024.
PWASNZ has asked that data gathering methods be reviewed. The presentation was an extension of work to support the case Julia McLean researched and outlined in a submission to politicians for horse riders to be formally recognised as vulnerable road users in transport legislation.
New Zealand Police has voiced an ongoing commitment to reducing the number of deaths and serious injuries on our roads, and ensuring every road user—including equestrians— remains safe on roads right throughout the country.
“We continue to encourage all road users about the shared responsibility to keep everyone safe. Pass Wide and Slow New Zealand’s efforts to educate and raise awareness of safe and respectful behaviours when travelling past horses and riders is one Police continues to support,” says Superintendent Steve Greally, Director of Road Policing.
PWASNZ rides will take place in close to 30 communities across the Motū, with a focus on sharing the message to pass wide and slow – kia tūpato kia āta haere, and ‘being seen’ in high vis.
List of official Pass Wide & Slow Awareness Rides 2025
Amberley – Cambridge – Cust – Dannevirke – Fairlie – Greymouth – Hastings – Hokianga- Hokitika – Kaitaia- Mākara Pony Club – Manawaru – Māpua – Martinborough – New Plymouth – Ōhāriu Valley – Onslow Pony Club – Ōpōtiki – Oxford – Raglan- Tasman – Tauranga- Te Kaha – Uawa – Waimakariri – Wellington City – Westport
Updates on the campaign and the proposed Bill will be released at passwideandslow.co.nz and PWASNZ Facebook.