Haumarutanga rori - pakeke

Road safety - adults

The Travel Safe team work in the community to reduce accidents and improve road safety.

Young Driver Workshop

Free young driver workshops are aimed at road users aged between 16 and 24, who hold a current learner or restricted driver licence. Participants will leave with improved knowledge, confidence, and skills.

Each workshop includes:

A 60-minute one-on-one driving lesson with a certified instructor
Waka Kotahi NZTA roadworthy vehicle check (what to check to ensure your vehicle is safe and roadworthy)
Driver behaviour awareness (speed, impairment, restraints, distraction, and fatigue
Awareness session on sharing the road with heavy vehicles

Parents/caregivers are strongly encouraged to attend but it’s not compulsory. The four-hour workshops are held during school term holidays, usually between 9am and 1pm.

Drive has everything you need to prepare for your learner, restricted and full licence tests.

Visit the Drive website

Young driver workshop

Car Restraints

Looking for support around car seat restraints? Contact one of our local car seat technicians at travelsafeschools@tauranga.govt.nz. We offer free car seat installations, checks, and will help answer any questions or concerns regarding your car restraint.

Carseat installation

Parking behaviour

Drop off and pick up are busy times that pose a safety risk at the school gate. Travel Safe help schools to communicate things like parking time limits, drop off and pick up zones, parking over the kerb and other safety risks at the school gate. We deliver an in-school parking and safety programme named Peaceful Parker, and partner with council parking officers to do school visits when requested by schools or the community.

Blindzone Workshops

Blindzone workshops allow people to see the world from a truck driver’s point of view. Through a series of practical scenarios, participants will learn where to place themselves so they are visible to truck drivers and will leave with more awareness and confidence on the road.

For more on Blindzone and cycling around heavy vehicles visit Share the Road.

Blindzone workshop

Be Bright, Be Safe, Be Seen

This winter visibility programme reminds cyclists, walkers, runners, and scooter riders to have lights, bright clothing, and reflective gear if they are out and about during early mornings, evenings, and at other times of low light and poor visibility.

Whether commuting to work or school, being active for fun or fitness, or popping down to the local shops, people should take extra care and keep safe by being fully visible on roads and paths.

All cyclists are encouraged to wear high-visibility clothing and ensure their front light, rear light and rear red reflector are all working correctly and are clean.

View the official New Zealand code for cycling for more information.

Robots, 3D printers and big ideas coming to Tauranga

Tauranga city centre is evolving into a vibrant hub of creativity and learning, and the upcoming Te Manawataki o Te Papa Library and Community Hub is at the heart of this transformation.

Among the standout features is the Creation Station - a hands-on, tech-powered space designed to ignite curiosity and foster innovation that has just been given a generous boost thanks to a $39,348 grant from Pub Charity Limited.

From laser cutting and 3D printing to vinyl design and sublimation printing, the Creation Station will offer a treasure trove of creative tools for people of all ages to explore, experiment, and bring their ideas to life.

Libraries & Community Hubs Manager, Joanna Thomas says the new space is about more than just technology - it’s about unlocking potential.

“Te Manawataki o Te Papa Library and Community Hub is a gateway for everyone to participate in learning, creativity, and our Tauranga stories. Amongst the books and media are special community spaces. As well as the Creation Station, the Imagination Station is a hub for storytelling and performances,” says Joanna.

“What I see for the future is children who are part of a story reading in the hub gaining confidence to be on the stage at Baycourt, or by trying out technology they can be inspired to create a product at Tinkd Makerspace or compete with STEM-ED at World Robotics. The community hub will cater to all ages - bring your imagination, your curiosity, we’ve got you covered.”

Pub Charity Limited’s funding will enable the purchase of key technology and equipment to bring the Creation Station to life.

We are proud to support the Creation Station at Te Manawataki o Te Papa Library and Community Hub," says Pub Charity Limited Managing Director, Martin Cheer.

This space will give tamariki, rangatahi and the wider community access to technology and creative tools rarely available elsewhere. Our grant will fund a laser cutter, vinyl printer/cutter, three 3D printers and a vacuform machine - bringing exciting opportunities for imagination, skill development and future innovation for years to come.”

The Creation Station is just one part of a broader vision to make the new Library and Community Hub a place where learning, creativity, and community come together. It’s a space where our city's future innovators, storytellers, and makers will find inspiration and support.

Stay tuned for more updates as we get closer to opening day in late 2026.

Posted: Oct 7, 2025,