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.

Merivale community's vision realised with new centre

A long-held vision for a vibrant, inclusive hub in the heart of Merivale has come to life, with the opening of the new Merivale Community Centre this week.

At the blessing of the centre on Friday, Mayor Mahé Drysdale acknowledged the significance of the occasion, describing the centre as “more than a building; it’s a commitment to supporting current and future generations of the Merivale community”.

“This centre will foster a more connected and inclusive community, and in turn, will add value and help improve the livelihoods and wellbeing of everyone who lives here.”

Mahé also acknowledged the collective efforts of everyone involved.

“This is Merivale’s moment and a great example of council partnering with the local community to create a space that truly reflects its identity and embraces the diverse needs of those who call it home.”
Merivale Community Centre Manager Dave Merton says the new facility marks both a celebration of the past 30 years and a significant step forward for the neighbourhood.

“This centre is about building a thriving and vibrant community where people feel safe, connected, and empowered to make healthy choices for themselves, their whānau, and the wider Merivale community,” explains Dave.

“The new facility sends a clear message that the people of Merivale are valued, and that their wellbeing and future matter. It also gives us the room to build on the legacy of the past three decades and expand the services we provide.

“For rangatahi especially, this space represents opportunity. It is a place to be inspired, to learn, to lead, and to grow. Young people are encouraged to see the centre as a hub of possibility, where their voices are heard, their potential is supported, and their futures are nurtured. It is about creating real pathways for rangatahi to thrive, right here in Merivale.”

The blessing ceremony was led by Tamati Tata, Ngāi Tamarāwaho and Keni Piahana, Ngāti Ruahine, with acknowledgements also made to Buddy Mikaere, Ngāi Tamarāwaho, all of whom provided guidance throughout the project.

Funding for the new facility was provided by Tauranga City Council as well as community grants from TECT Community Trust, BayTrust, and the New Zealand Lottery Grants Board.
The Merivale Community Centre was founded in 1993 as a grassroots, community-led organisation located in the heart of Merivale. The old building was demolished in August 2024 as it was no longer fit-for-purpose.

The centre offers a wide range of services for the community, from the free after-school programme which sparked the much-loved Tūtarawānanga Ballers team, through to kai parcels, counselling, GP clinics, social work support and budgeting advice. With the move into a new space, the centre looks forward to expanding these services and creating even more opportunities for local whānau. The centre is inviting community engagement feedback to ensure activities respond to local need and you can get involved by visiting www.merivale.nz/tellus

For more information about the project visit letstalk.tauranga.govt.nz/merivale