Driver licensing still an issue for those who live in remote areas

A109 Light Utility Helicopter flight with mayor Gisborne City from the air in November 2023.

Driver licensing remains an issue for those who live in locations far from Gisborne, despite the efforts of Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency.

Gisborne District Council's regional transport committee received a verbal report from Waka Kotahi's Linda Stewart who said the 12-month trial with Tairāwhiti Rural Education Action Programme (REAP) and McInnes Driver Training would not solve all problems immediately.

She said Waka Kotahi had been told to provide access, in a practical manner, to enable people to get their licence “whatever their age or location”.

The historical way of providing driver licensing was “very restrained”.

The trial, supported by council, police and the Ministry of Social Development, was one of the first such trials across the country.

Ms Stewart said to have having testing officers in the right place, how to interact with clients and offering support from learning to testing were big issues in the remote communities.

Another issue was trying to understand what was going awry with pass rates.

Councillor Pat Seymour said the trial was a good initiative, but it needed to go longer than 12 months.

People would not have access unless they went through McInnes Driver Training which had a contract for a limited number of trainees.

She asked what was being done for those who lived in Ruatoria or in other remote areas such as Wairoa residents who had to come to Gisborne.

Cr Bill Burdett said there had previously been a good service in Ruatoria.

“Today it is Gisborne or nothing.”

Council director lifelines David Wilson said the long-term plan included providing access to driver training in remote communities.

In the interim, the council was working with police and Waka Kotahi to provide a service to fill in gaps without the parties chasing the same funding to replicate services.

Ms Stewart said planning had to begin for the period after the trial.

There were capacity constraints and more work needed to be done.