Wellington Wind Walk

“You can’t beat Wellington on a good day” is a phrase one hears a lot around these parts. The speaker normally means a still day as well as a fine one. But it’s time for Wellingtonians to stop being shy about the wind in their city, says Brooklyn resident Richard Thomson.

“We’re making the stand that Wellington’s wind is something to be proud of and to celebrate,” says Thomson, who is part of a team organising the city’s inaugural Wind Walk. “There’s nothing more life-affirming and soul-cleansing than a good bluster, and besides, we could argue we have the cleanest air in the country.”

The Wind Walk on September 27 is a family-oriented event that taps into all angles of the wind theme. Starting at 9am, participants make their way from Brooklyn village to the turbine, and are encouraged to fly kites, balloons and flags en route, decorate buggies with windmills and even play wind instruments. Kids can hunt for clues to the WindWalk Quiz, then help plant a windmill garden at the turbine.

There will be a fire engine, music and spot prizes at the top. After enjoying a sausage sizzle and a hot drink, families return to the Brooklyn Community Centre, where a children’s market is being held, with stalls, a bouncy castle and a maze.

Wind Walk participants buy a registration pack, which will include stickers, windmills and goodies from sponsors, with the registration fee raising funds to help the Brooklyn Early Childhood Centre renovate its premises to meet new government regulations.

“In this peak oil environment, we all should be out walking more. And you can catch the Number 7 bus to the start in Brooklyn. The WindWalk is a sustainable event that helps to build a sustainable community,” says fellow organiser Ben Zwartz.

The 4km ascent is estimated to take around 1.5 hours. A bus will be on hand to shuttle people down the hill if they prefer not to walk.