More than 100 people have completed a Ngāi Te Rangi driver's licence course. Photo / Supplied
More than 100 people have completed a Ngāi Te Rangi driver's licence course. Photo / Supplied
Contributed content: Carmen Hall is a communications adviser for Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Te Rangi Iwi Trust and a former Bay of Plenty Times journalist.
More than 100 people in the past year have gained a driver’s licence through a free iwi initiative designed to help whānau into employment, avoid traffic offences and, in some cases, jail.
The Ngāi Te Rangi programme was also targeted at rangatahi and people who could not access formal testing facilities easily or struggled with the cost.
Ngāi Te Rangi Ahei Employment Unit manager Ameria Molyneux said it had collaborated with the Merivale Community Centre and hapū in the rohe for marae-based testing.
The centre and hapū helped with recruitment while Ngāi Te Rangi had a driver coach.
“This initiative highlights the power of bringing services to the people, fostering growth, and creating pathways for whānau to thrive in a way that respects their identity and aspirations. Together, we worked toward shared goals, creating meaningful outcomes for the community,” Molyneux said.
Cornelius Turner passed his learner’s licence last month. Photo / Supplied
‘A real buzz’
“Pretty amazing” is how Cornelius Turner felt when he passed his learner’s licence last month.
The 16-year-old said he “didn’t have much faith in himself” but managed to smash it.
“I’m excited as I’ve been wanting to do it for ages.”
He was one of eight rangatahi who did theory training at the Merivale Community Centre with the Ngāi Te Rangi team before sitting the exam at VTNZ Mount Maunganui. Everyone passed.
“It was like an out-of-body experience” was how 17-year-old Vicarious Kirona described getting his learner’s licence.
For 16-year-old Navahna Grant it was a “big accomplishment”.
For Navahna Grant, 16, it was a 'big accomplishment' to pass her learner's licence. Photo / Supplied
Tiara Takuira-Anderson was excited.
“I was really nervous and stuttering for a start. But once I got my eye test I just went with the flow.”
Merivale Community Centre general manager Dave Merton said a lot of people were driving cars without a licence or on an expired licence.
Getting a driver’s licence and photo ID made a “difference”.
“It’s great Ngāi Te Rangi can come here so it’s a win/win that is perfect.
“We just hope it continues.”
Mobile marae testing
In November, 15 rangatahi passed their learner’s licence at Ōtawhiwhi Marae after doing theory practice with Ngāi Te Rangi and being tested by the AA mobile testing unit.
Ōtawhiwhi Marae representative Bina Whatarau said some rangatahi waited four months to sit their tests at the closest facility in Katikati.
She said testing onsite removed all the barriers.
“We have so many proud rangatahi that passed their licence”.
“The kids were elated...parents are still buzzing. I hope that in six months’ time the licensing kaupapa will still be available to them and all hapū.”
Molyneux said it was an amazing result for the rangatahi who passed the programmes and represented more than just driving privileges.
“They symbolise increased independence, access to employment opportunities and the ability to contribute more actively to their communities.”
Becoming a Ngāi Te Rangi driver coach was a “dream come true” for Jason Reriti. Photo / Supplied
Potential to grow
Becoming a Ngāi Te Rangi driver coach was a “dream come true” for Jason Reriti, who has set his sights on becoming a fully qualified testing officer, endorsed by the NZTA.
“That’s my ultimate goal. Once we’re qualified to test our own people, this programme has the potential to grow.”
His passion was helping whānau overcome the barriers to getting a licence. In his view some of the biggest obstacles, especially for Māori, were feeling judged, lack of confidence and the cost.
Reriti incorporates Māori tikanga, such as karakia, to help put drivers at ease.
“I focus on building a connection so people feel comfortable and can concentrate on what they need to do.”
Under the driver licensing programme, Reriti takes participants on a practice drive and coaches them on safer driving and what testers will be looking for.
The learner’s licence requires passing a theory test, while the restricted and full licences involve practical tests lasting 45 and 30 minutes, respectively. Drivers are allowed only two mistakes during these tests.
Reriti had also built relationships at VTNZ Mount Maunganui to ensure the testing environment was as comfortable as possible and a welcoming space for all drivers.
Ngāi Te Rangi chief executive Paora Stanley. Photo / Alex Cairns
Driver licence offences and fines can snowball
Ngāi Te Rangi chief executive Paora Stanley said a person’s journey to jail often started with driver’s licence offences and fines that could snowball.
“Then they just get tipped into this non-stop, criminal slide.”
He said the driver licensing programme helped alleviate those issues.
“Number one, you are highly inoculating them against future prison, incarceration. Number two, you’re extending their abilities to get jobs. And number three, you’re making better drivers because when you have a licence you are more likely to abide by the rules and not risk losing it.”
He says the driver licensing programme was highly successful and complemented other initiatives in Ngāi Te Rangi’s toolbox that included employment and training courses.
For upcoming courses and information follow Ngāi Te Rangi on Facebook or Instagram.
