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.

Our city centre is shining bright this Christmas

This holiday season unwraps with the turning on of the Christmas lights at Masonic Park on Friday 21 November.

This holiday season unwraps with the turning on of the Christmas lights at Masonic Park on Friday 21 November. This community celebration invites whānau, friends, neighbours and festive fans to gather for an evening of music and cheer.

Enjoy face painting, live performances from the Katikati Mural Town Singers and Fuse Drummers, plus a special visit from Santa himself.

One lucky local will be chosen by The Breeze Tauranga from community nominations to flick the switch and light up our giant city centre Christmas tree, honouring someone who makes our community shine all year round. Nominations are open now via The Breeze Tauranga Facebook page.

“This is what Christmas in Tauranga is all about. Bringing people together, celebrating the spirit of giving, and creating moments that make memories,” says Te Papa Ward Councillor Rod Taylor.

“For the first time, we’re inviting our community to share stories of our local good sorts, to be in to win the honour of lighting up the tree and kicking off Christmas in the city centre. This moment represents the heart of the season, community connection, generosity, and the joy of giving, especially as we support the Christmas Convoy to deliver gifts and food to those who could use a little extra support this season.”

Donations will be collected by the Christmas Convoy and shared with families and individuals in the Tauranga community.

December brings a calendar full of festive experiences to Tauranga city centre, with events set to fill the streets with music, entertainment, supporting local and spreading joy:

Family Christmas movies on the waterfront - Fridays from 5 December
Pocket-Size-Play - Saturday events for our tamariki at Masonic Park/Te Ao Mārama
Saturday concerts - featuring Inachord Singers, Tauranga Civic Choir and Fuse Drummers
Santa’s Summer Grotto - opening from 6 December to Christmas Eve. It’s a colourful, joyful space for tamariki and those young at heart to meet Santa and his cheerful elf. Brought to you by Downtown Tauranga.
Late night Christmas shopping - Thursday 18 December, 4pm-8pm. Enjoy extended shopping hours, festive deals, music and Kiwi Christmas window displays. Brought to you by Downtown Tauranga.
Wrap it up Downtown - curated team party packages across city centre venues, perfect for end-of-year celebrations. Find out more at downtowntauranga.co.nz/experiences.

This Christmas, enjoy stress-free visits with convenient parking at all council-operated locations.

Just popping in? Enjoy a 20-minute grace period with no payment required.

Staying longer? Park at off-street spots like Dive Crescent or in the Spring Street and Elizabeth Street parking buildings. Pay at the machines or use the PayMyPark app.

And remember, parking is free after 5pm on weekdays, all weekend, and on public holidays in the city centre. Find out more at tauranga.govt.nz/parking.

Celebrate this season in Tauranga city centre. Sing along, shop local, and soak up the Christmas spirit. Find all event details at whatsontauranga.co.nz.

Image caption

Turning on the Christmas tree lights at Masonic Park, 21 November 2025

Posted: Nov 17, 2025,