Sustainable Transport - New Zealand
Cycling Nation the Netherlands
To promote the Netherlands as a sustainable cycling nation and raise the profile of cycling as a solution for sustainable mobility and climate smart urban planning, the Netherlands Embassy teams up with the Wellington City Council in the annual Go By Bike Day, supports screenings of documentaries such as Why We Cycle and Together We Cycle, and organizes multiple bike events such as cross party parliamentarian and diplomatic community bike rides.
In case more cities in Aotearoa New Zealand are interested, Dutch NGO’s, businesses, research institutes and local governments are at their disposal to share Dutch expertise in the area of smart mobility and cycling.
Te Ara Tupua and Dutch Innovation Xbloc
The new pathway between Wellington and Petone was opened for the public in May 2026. Te Ara Tupua or Path of the Ancients, is 12 kilometers long and creates a great opportunity for sustainable transport between cities in the wider Wellington region.
Dutch engineered Xblocs form the seawall along the pathway, ensuring coastal resilience as an integral part of the project. The concrete units were designed with ecological restoration in mind. Their textured surfaces mimic the natural rocky foreshore, creating an environment that encourages the growth of marine plants and sea life. You can read more about the process behind Xblocs and Te Ara Tupua here.
Walking the Walk … Riding the Bike
Bicycle use is widespread in the Netherlands. 27% of all journeys are made by bicycle. And in some cities, this figure is much higher. The Netherlands is keen to do more to encourage people to travel by bicycle. The more Kiwis taking their bikes around town, the more the countless advantages: cleaner air, better health, more vibrant and inclusive cities, and a smaller C02 footprint.
For years the Netherlands embassy in Wellington has been active to become more sustainable. Also in relation to its own transport. It was decided to dispose of the embassy car and the ambassador commutes and travels to meetings by foot, bicycle or by e-bike. There are four bikes available for staff to get to meetings in town. In this way the Netherlands embassy hopes to not only contribute to reducing emissions and traffic congestion in the city but also encourage others to use the bike more often. Walking the walk, or in this case…riding the bike.
Following the 2011 earthquake in Christchurch the Dutch Cycling Embassy assisted in planning Christchurch’s cycling infrastructure, part of which is the Uni-Cycle – the cycle route that runs right through the University of Canterbury to the central city.
The embassy coordinates an annual nationwide Orange Bike Ride to promote cycling as a sustainable means of transport. This event has grown to include 11 locations across the country.
Dutch Electric Tugboat in Port of Auckland and Hydrogen Trucks on the Road
Damen Shipyards and Ports of Auckland have teamed up find solutions for the shared and urgent challenge of climate change. Damen Shipyards built the first electric tug boat in the world for Ports of Auckland and the tugboat, named ‘Sparky, becomes operational in 2022. It contributes to reducing CO2 emissions and is one of the innovative examples of how Dutch and New Zealand private sector can join forces .
In 2021 New Zealand company Hiringa Energy Ltd commissioned Hyzon Motors to supply and deliver 1.500 hydrogen fuel cell-powered, zero-emissions heavy trucks which are assembled in Hyzon’s Winschoten facility in Groningen, the Netherlands.
Working with the Netherlands on Sustainable Transport
The Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in New Zealand and the Pacific supports partnerships on sustainable transport. We connect local stakeholders with Dutch companies, knowledge institutions, and government partners to promote sustainable transport initiatives.
Together we can find sustainable transport solutions.
Are you interested to learn more? Contact our team in Wellington here.