Swap One celebrates first year success and return for Year Two

More than 14,000 low-carbon trips, 110,000 kilometres travelled without a petrol or diesel car, and 25 tonnes of carbon emissions avoided – these are just some of the achievements celebrated at the recent Swap One Year One Prizegiving.

Swap One is a community-led programme encouraging people across Nelson Tasman to swap one high-carbon commute each week for a low-carbon alternative.

"Transport accounts for over 60% of Nelson's community emissions. Reducing this by 25 tonnes is a powerful start on the right journey," says Swap One Project Leader Jim Sinner. “It shows what could be achieved if everyone swapped one trip per week.”

Over the past year, almost 30 workplaces got behind Swap One, encouraging staff to rethink how they travel to work. More than 400 people registered for the programme, with hundreds making low-carbon commuting a regular part of their weekly routine. Year One attracted three times the number of businesses involved in the 2024/25 pilot programme – which itself exceeded expectations – with deepening engagement across many of these over the time.

Business Award winners

Large Organisation
Cawthron Institute claimed the top prize for businesses, with 3.4 tonnes of CO₂ emissions avoided, ahead of Health New Zealand Nelson Marlborough (2.5 tonnes) and Nelson City Council (1.99 tonnes).

Cawthron was recognised not only for its impressive emissions savings, but also for actively promoting Swap One throughout the organisation and offering additional internal incentives to encourage staff participation.

Small/Medium Business
Nelson Airport took out the top award for organisations with 150 or fewer employees, helping staff avoid 896 kg of CO₂ emissions. CNX was runner-up with 431 kg, followed closely by Pic's Peanut Butter with 426 kg.

Individual Award winners

The Carbon Crusher award – for most emissions avoided – went to Becs Boughton (Nelson City Council), who avoided 751 kg of CO₂ emissions by swapping her daily commute from a petrol car to an e-bike. Becs says she no longer gets caught in traffic, can park right outside her workplace and enjoys daily exercise as part of her commute.

Swap One Supremo – for commitment to low-carbon travel – was awarded to Julian Daly, who logged 263 swapped trips using a variety of transport options, including his now-famous electric unicycle. Julian says Swap One gave him the encouragement to replace many trips in his 4.5-litre V8 with low-carbon alternatives.

Creative Commute was awarded to Brian Pollock, whose customised bicycle enables him to transport his kitesurfing equipment to the beach without relying on a car, often overtaking peak-hour traffic along Rocks Road.

Special recognition also went to Josh Leenhouwers (Ekos), who combines a car, bus and bike on his commute between Riwaka and Nelson; Matthew McTague (Sealord), who cycles 15 kilometres each way from Richmond to work every day; Fred Overmars, who cycles almost everywhere from his home in Mapua; and Ryno Botha (Nelson City Council), who has swapped his daily drive from Atawhai for a scenic ride along the Haven.

Following the success of Year One, Nelson City Council has confirmed funding for a second year of the programme, which will recommence after a short break.

"Every person who swaps just one trip helps show that low-carbon commuting is practical, enjoyable and something more people can do," says Sinner.

"It's good for the planet, good for our health, good for our city, good for business and, most importantly, it's fun."

Swap One is presented by the Nelson Tasman Climate Forum, Mission Zero and Nelsust, with funding from Nelson City Council. The programme has also been made possible through the generosity of private donors, who collectively contributed more than $22,000 to help establish Swap One. Additional support came through prize sponsorship from Electrify NZ, Pic’s Peanut Butter, The Bike Station, Kimi Ora Eco Resort, CNX, Bowater Toyota, Brook Waimārama Sanctuary, MD Outdoors and NTS Nutrition. The Swap One Year One Prizegiving was generously hosted by The Bike Station.

Photo by John-Paul Pochin (Light Limited).

ENDS