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.

Tauranga City Council's 2024/25 Annual Report reflects year of transition

Tauranga City Council has adopted its 2024/25 Annual Report, marking a year of significant transition and a renewed focus on delivering value for ratepayers.

The report covers activity from 1 July 2024 to 30 June 2025 — a period that included the city’s return to democratic governance just one month into the financial year.

Mayor Mahé Drysdale says the newly elected Council committed early on to delivering positive community outcomes and value-for-money for ratepayers.

“While much of what’s in the 2024/25 Annual Report reflects an inherited work and investment programme, during this time we worked hard to reassess the council's priorities and reduce costs across all areas — locking in savings for future years,” he says.

The Annual Report includes financial performance information, details of projects and services delivered, and progress towards council’s strategic goals for the people of Tauranga.

“The report shows the scale of investment and effort that went into making Tauranga a better place to live and visit,” Mahé says. “It’s a snapshot of where we’ve been, but our focus now is firmly on where we’re going. We’re committed to taking a value-driven approach while continuing to deliver for our people, so Tauranga becomes the best city in New Zealand.”

Mahé says annual reports are an important part of maintaining transparency and accountability.

“These reports show how rates are being invested to support an inclusive, thriving and well-connected city, where our environment is enhanced and supported.”

Highlights from the 2024/25 Annual Report include:

Completion of key projects such as the Haumaru Sport & Recreation Centre, waterfront destination playground and harbourside walkway in the city centre, and Arataki Bus Hub
Adoption of the Tauriko West Plan Change, paving the way for much-needed new homes in the west of the city
Investment of $415 million in infrastructure and projects – 19% below budget due to underspending and a shortfall in delivery
Net debt of $1.3 billion – 10% ($138 million) less than budgeted
Delivery of 106 funded events, attracting over 220,000 attendees and generating $21 million in visitor spending
Progress with Te Manawataki o Te Papa civic precinct, SH29 Tauriko Enabling Works, and the Papamoa East Interchange
60km of roads resealed, 500 potholes repaired and safety and accessibility upgrades along Maunganui Road
9.5km of wastewater pipe rehabilitation and watermains renewals and 38,274 tonnes of kerbside waste collected
A 43% reduction in council’s operational carbon emissions since 2018/19.

A full version of the 2024/25 Annual Report, along with a highlights document, is available at www.tauranga.govt.nz/annual-report-2024-25.