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.

Historic Monmouth Redoubt reopening following restoration work

With a new timber boardwalk in place and vital work to strengthen banks within the reserve now complete, the historic Monmouth Redoubt is ready to welcome visitors to the refreshed site.

The redoubt, located at the Dive Crescent end of The Strand, holds significant cultural and historic importance as the early Māori settlement of Taumatakahawai Pā and as a strategic military fortification built by British forces in 1864 before the Battle of Pukehinahina/ Gate Pā and follow-up conflict at Te Ranga.

A portion of the Monmouth Redoubt reserve has been closed since March for structural reinforcements to be added to the redoubt banks and for failing retaining walls to be replaced, alongside the installation of a new timber boardwalk.

Visitors will experience scenic views of Tauranga Moana and a glimpse of Mauao from a short, shaded nature walk when using the new timber boardwalk on the eastern side of the redoubt. The redoubt connects to Robbins Park and is a short walk to the Cliff Road carpark area.

Te Papa Ward Councillor Rod Taylor says the restored site provides a new perspective in a historic location.

“Many residents have fond memories of visiting the redoubt during their youth, and unfortunately over the years the site has fallen into disrepair,” Rod says.

“It’s great to see the work wrapped up and to have a refreshed outdoor area available to residents and visitors just minutes from the city centre.”

Monmouth restoration before work complete — The eastern side of the redoubt before restoration work began.

Monmouth restoration after work complete — The new timber boardwalk at Monmouth Redoubt.

Upgrades were identified in a conservation report which involved local hapū Ngāi Tamarāwaho, Ngāti Tapu, and Ngāi Tukairangi, and received input from the Tauranga Historical Society, Heritage NZ and The Elms.

Ngāi Tamarāwaho hapū spokesperson Buddy Mikaere says the upgraded site reflects the importance of the area.

“The history of this land stretches back hundreds of years for Māori, and both Ngāi Tamarāwaho and Ngāti Tapu trace their descent from the Takitimu ancestral waka which is believed to have landed at the shore below the hilltop site,” Buddy says.

“The area is not only important in local history, but also nationally for its connection to the New Zealand Land Wars in 1864. Anyone who visited before work began will be really surprised at the improvements and will hopefully take time to reflect on the shared history of the city.”

Posted: Oct 24, 2025,