NZ Herald
  • Home
  • Latest news
  • Herald NOW
  • Video
  • New Zealand
  • Sport
  • World
  • Business
  • Entertainment
  • Podcasts
  • Quizzes
  • Opinion
  • Lifestyle
  • Travel
  • Viva
  • Weather

Subscriptions

  • Herald Premium
  • Viva Premium
  • The Listener
  • BusinessDesk

Sections

  • Latest news
  • New Zealand
    • All New Zealand
    • Crime
    • Politics
    • Education
    • Open Justice
    • Scam Update
  • Herald NOW
  • On The Up
  • World
    • All World
    • Australia
    • Asia
    • UK
    • United States
    • Middle East
    • Europe
    • Pacific
  • Business
    • All Business
    • MarketsSharesCurrencyCommoditiesStock TakesCrypto
    • Markets with Madison
    • Media Insider
    • Business analysis
    • Personal financeKiwiSaverInterest ratesTaxInvestment
    • EconomyInflationGDPOfficial cash rateEmployment
    • Small business
    • Business reportsMood of the BoardroomProject AucklandSustainable business and financeCapital markets reportAgribusiness reportInfrastructure reportDynamic business
    • Deloitte Top 200 Awards
    • CompaniesAged CareAgribusinessAirlinesBanking and financeConstructionEnergyFreight and logisticsHealthcareManufacturingMedia and MarketingRetailTelecommunicationsTourism
  • Opinion
    • All Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Editorials
    • Business analysis
    • Premium opinion
    • Letters to the editor
  • Politics
  • Sport
    • All Sport
    • OlympicsParalympics
    • RugbySuper RugbyNPCAll BlacksBlack FernsRugby sevensSchool rugby
    • CricketBlack CapsWhite Ferns
    • Racing
    • NetballSilver Ferns
    • LeagueWarriorsNRL
    • FootballWellington PhoenixAuckland FCAll WhitesFootball FernsEnglish Premier League
    • GolfNZ Open
    • MotorsportFormula 1
    • Boxing
    • UFC
    • BasketballNBABreakersTall BlacksTall Ferns
    • Tennis
    • Cycling
    • Athletics
    • SailingAmerica's CupSailGP
    • Rowing
  • Lifestyle
    • All Lifestyle
    • Viva - Food, fashion & beauty
    • Society Insider
    • Royals
    • Sex & relationships
    • Food & drinkRecipesRecipe collectionsRestaurant reviewsRestaurant bookings
    • Health & wellbeing
    • Fashion & beauty
    • Pets & animals
    • The Selection - Shop the trendsShop fashionShop beautyShop entertainmentShop giftsShop home & living
    • Milford's Investing Place
  • Entertainment
    • All Entertainment
    • TV
    • MoviesMovie reviews
    • MusicMusic reviews
    • BooksBook reviews
    • Culture
    • ReviewsBook reviewsMovie reviewsMusic reviewsRestaurant reviews
  • Travel
    • All Travel
    • News
    • New ZealandNorthlandAucklandWellingtonCanterburyOtago / QueenstownNelson-TasmanBest NZ beaches
    • International travelAustraliaPacific IslandsEuropeUKUSAAfricaAsia
    • Rail holidays
    • Cruise holidays
    • Ski holidays
    • Luxury travel
    • Adventure travel
  • Kāhu Māori news
  • Environment
    • All Environment
    • Our Green Future
  • Talanoa Pacific news
  • Property
    • All Property
    • Property Insider
    • Interest rates tracker
    • Residential property listings
    • Commercial property listings
  • Health
  • Technology
    • All Technology
    • AI
    • Social media
  • Rural
    • All Rural
    • Dairy farming
    • Sheep & beef farming
    • Horticulture
    • Animal health
    • Rural business
    • Rural life
    • Rural technology
    • Opinion
    • Audio & podcasts
  • Weather forecasts
    • All Weather forecasts
    • Kaitaia
    • Whangārei
    • Dargaville
    • Auckland
    • Thames
    • Tauranga
    • Hamilton
    • Whakatāne
    • Rotorua
    • Tokoroa
    • Te Kuiti
    • Taumaranui
    • Taupō
    • Gisborne
    • New Plymouth
    • Napier
    • Hastings
    • Dannevirke
    • Whanganui
    • Palmerston North
    • Levin
    • Paraparaumu
    • Masterton
    • Wellington
    • Motueka
    • Nelson
    • Blenheim
    • Westport
    • Reefton
    • Kaikōura
    • Greymouth
    • Hokitika
    • Christchurch
    • Ashburton
    • Timaru
    • Wānaka
    • Oamaru
    • Queenstown
    • Dunedin
    • Gore
    • Invercargill
  • Meet the journalists
  • Promotions & competitions
  • OneRoof property listings
  • Driven car news

Puzzles & Quizzes

  • Puzzles
    • All Puzzles
    • Sudoku
    • Code Cracker
    • Crosswords
    • Cryptic crossword
    • Wordsearch
  • Quizzes
    • All Quizzes
    • Morning quiz
    • Afternoon quiz
    • Sports quiz

Regions

  • Northland
    • All Northland
    • Far North
    • Kaitaia
    • Kerikeri
    • Kaikohe
    • Bay of Islands
    • Whangarei
    • Dargaville
    • Kaipara
    • Mangawhai
  • Auckland
  • Waikato
    • All Waikato
    • Hamilton
    • Coromandel & Hauraki
    • Matamata & Piako
    • Cambridge
    • Te Awamutu
    • Tokoroa & South Waikato
    • Taupō & Tūrangi
  • Bay of Plenty
    • All Bay of Plenty
    • Katikati
    • Tauranga
    • Mount Maunganui
    • Pāpāmoa
    • Te Puke
    • Whakatāne
  • Rotorua
  • Hawke's Bay
    • All Hawke's Bay
    • Napier
    • Hastings
    • Havelock North
    • Central Hawke's Bay
    • Wairoa
  • Taranaki
    • All Taranaki
    • Stratford
    • New Plymouth
    • Hāwera
  • Manawatū - Whanganui
    • All Manawatū - Whanganui
    • Whanganui
    • Palmerston North
    • Manawatū
    • Tararua
    • Horowhenua
  • Wellington
    • All Wellington
    • Kapiti
    • Wairarapa
    • Upper Hutt
    • Lower Hutt
  • Nelson & Tasman
    • All Nelson & Tasman
    • Motueka
    • Nelson
    • Tasman
  • Marlborough
  • West Coast
  • Canterbury
    • All Canterbury
    • Kaikōura
    • Christchurch
    • Ashburton
    • Timaru
  • Otago
    • All Otago
    • Oamaru
    • Dunedin
    • Balclutha
    • Alexandra
    • Queenstown
    • Wanaka
  • Southland
    • All Southland
    • Invercargill
    • Gore
    • Stewart Island
  • Gisborne

Media

  • Video
    • All Video
    • NZ news video
    • Herald NOW
    • Business news video
    • Politics news video
    • Sport video
    • World news video
    • Lifestyle video
    • Entertainment video
    • Travel video
    • Markets with Madison
    • Kea Kids news
  • Podcasts
    • All Podcasts
    • The Front Page
    • On the Tiles
    • Ask me Anything
    • The Little Things
  • Cartoons
  • Photo galleries
  • Today's Paper - E-editions
  • Photo sales
  • Classifieds

NZME Network

  • Advertise with NZME
  • OneRoof
  • Driven Car Guide
  • BusinessDesk
  • Newstalk ZB
  • Sunlive
  • ZM
  • The Hits
  • Coast
  • Radio Hauraki
  • The Alternative Commentary Collective
  • Gold
  • Flava
  • iHeart Radio
  • Hokonui
  • Radio Wanaka
  • iHeartCountry New Zealand
  • Restaurant Hub
  • NZME Events

SubscribeSign In
Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.
Home / Kahu

Ngāi Te Rangi initiative helps rural whānau pass driver’s tests at marae

Bay of Plenty Times
27 May, 2025 03:00 AM4 mins to read

Subscribe to listen

Access to Herald Premium articles require a Premium subscription. Subscribe now to listen.
Already a subscriber?  Sign in here

Listening to articles is free for open-access content—explore other articles or learn more about text-to-speech.
‌
Save

    Share this article

Harry Henry felt ecstatic after gaining his licence.

Harry Henry felt ecstatic after gaining his licence.

Contributed content: Carmen Hall is a communications advisor for Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Te Rangi Iwi Trust and a former Bay of Plenty Times journalist.

A 63-year-old is looking forward to spending time behind the wheel after passing her learner driver’s licence test at Mangatawa Marae.

Kini Kakau got her licence with help from a Ngāi Te Rangi initiative that aims to increase access to theory testing. It is targeted at whānau who live rurally and are hindered by socioeconomic and cultural barriers.

The programme is run in conjunction with the East Bay REAP mobile testing unit, which is supported and funded by New Zealand Transport Agency Waka Kotahi.

Kakau vigorously swotted up for her learners licence test and spent the previous day doing theory alongside 19 others in her group.

Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.
Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.

There were driver information leaflets and packs of question-and-answer cards on the tables while an interactive TV was set up with mock tests.

“I’m more comfortable in a marae environment and I live in this community.”

Kakau said she had decided it was time to get out of the passenger seat.

Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.

“I didn‘t think I had the confidence to do it, but I did.”

She had to do a follow-up eye test with her optometrist, but also passed that with flying colours.

Harry Henry’s children encouraged him to take the test. He knew how to drive but never got around to taking a driving test. The 49-year-old passed and was excited to tell his children.

“I’m ecstatic.”

Kahurere Pomare felt “brave and bold”.

The 17-year-old says she was inspired and supported by Ngāi Te Rangi and getting her licence was “a big accomplishment”.

“It was a bit scary, but being on the marae was amazing. Everybody helped each other and you didn‘t feel alone or judged.”

Waka Kotahi Safer Drivers regional adviser Arlouise Brooking said bringing learner licence training and mobile testing onto marae had proven to engage more whānau and create a “mana-enhancing environment”.

“Wananga learning on the marae is quite powerful for our whānau, especially in rural communities. It is a place they are familiar with and comfortable in.”

Brooking said her role supported organisations to develop and deliver driver licence support programmes in the Bay of Plenty.

Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.

“Working with organisations like Ngāi Te Rangi to break down barriers to access is great. They are doing a lot of training, employment development and upskilling and getting your licence is the first step.”

 Kelly Tuari and Gaylene Kohunui, from Eastbay REAP and Arlouise Brooking (middle) from Waka Kotahi at Mangatawa Marae.
Kelly Tuari and Gaylene Kohunui, from Eastbay REAP and Arlouise Brooking (middle) from Waka Kotahi at Mangatawa Marae.

About 680 tests have been undertaken with the East Bay REAP AA Mobile Unit in the Bay of Plenty since it was established in October 2023.

Gaylene Kohunui from Eastbay REAP said the need for mobile licence testing was “huge”.

Feedback showed many whānau were getting fined and could not afford to travel to sit their licence or pay for it.

She said most people were nervous and self-conscious, but that was quickly forgotten if they passed.

“It’s definitely a moving moment for us to see the smile on their face and a big achievement for them.”

Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.

Ngāi Te Rangi Āhei manager Ameria Molyneux said relationships with organisations like Waka Kotahi and Eastbay REAP strengthened the iwi’s ability to reach rural whānau.

“This initiative not only supports whānau in gaining their licences, but also creates a supportive and community-based environment.

“What better place to celebrate such a milestone than where you whakapapa to? The marae then becomes part of the memory of where you earned your licence.

“Having testers available on-site at marae is a game changer and makes the process more accessible and less intimidating.”

From April 11, 2024 to April 11, 2025 Ngāi Te Rangi’s dedicated team supported 189 individuals in its rohe on their journey to gaining a driver’s licence - and 178 passed, she said.

Eastbay REAP chief executive Dr Ryan Morrison said these successes were an inspiration to the involved organisations to keep collaborating and sharing their resources “so those who know their communities best are shaping solutions that work”.

Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.

Transport Minister Chris Bishop has announced proposed changes to New Zealand’s graduated driver licensing including scrapping the practical driving test for a full licence.

Restricted drivers will need to keep a clean driving record for 18 months for under-25s, or for 12 months if they complete an advanced driving course. Any driving offence will restart the clock.

Consultation on the proposed changes closes on June 9.

Ngāi Te Rangi Driver Licensing

  • For upcoming driver licence courses check out Ngāi Te Rangi’s Facebook and Instagram pages.
  • To find out how the AA Mobile unit can come to marae, kura, hall or anywhere in your community contact arlouise.brooking@nzta.govt.nz
Save

    Share this article

Latest from Kahu

League

'Culture of belief': How underdogs became national champions

30 May 01:36 AM
Kahu

'Lasting impact': Māori teen speaks out on beach assault, racial taunts

29 May 06:46 PM
Premium
New Zealand

Improving Māori health could boost Hawke’s Bay economy by $120m a year: study

28 May 06:05 PM

Gold demand soars amid global turmoil

sponsored
Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.

Latest from Kahu

'Culture of belief': How underdogs became national champions

'Culture of belief': How underdogs became national champions

30 May 01:36 AM

Young league players set for massive Rotorua event this weekend.

'Lasting impact': Māori teen speaks out on beach assault, racial taunts

'Lasting impact': Māori teen speaks out on beach assault, racial taunts

29 May 06:46 PM
Premium
Improving Māori health could boost Hawke’s Bay economy by $120m a year: study

Improving Māori health could boost Hawke’s Bay economy by $120m a year: study

28 May 06:05 PM
The rising toll of pokies and online gambling in Northland

The rising toll of pokies and online gambling in Northland

28 May 05:00 PM
Explore the hidden gems of NSW
sponsored

Explore the hidden gems of NSW

NZ Herald
  • About NZ Herald
  • Meet the journalists
  • Newsletters
  • Classifieds
  • Help & support
  • Contact us
  • House rules
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of use
  • Competition terms & conditions
  • Our use of AI
Subscriber Services
  • NZ Herald e-editions
  • Daily puzzles & quizzes
  • Manage your digital subscription
  • Manage your print subscription
  • Subscribe to the NZ Herald newspaper
  • Subscribe to Herald Premium
  • Gift a subscription
  • Subscriber FAQs
  • Subscription terms & conditions
  • Promotions and subscriber benefits
NZME Network
  • The New Zealand Herald
  • The Northland Age
  • The Northern Advocate
  • Waikato Herald
  • Bay of Plenty Times
  • Rotorua Daily Post
  • Hawke's Bay Today
  • Whanganui Chronicle
  • Viva
  • NZ Listener
  • What the Actual
  • Newstalk ZB
  • BusinessDesk
  • OneRoof
  • Driven CarGuide
  • iHeart Radio
  • Restaurant Hub
NZME
  • About NZME
  • NZME careers
  • Advertise with NZME
  • Digital self-service advertising
  • Book your classified ad
  • Photo sales
  • NZME Events
  • © Copyright 2025 NZME Publishing Limited
TOP