Current programmes and initiatives being supported through the Northland Road Safety Trust (NRST) are listed below:
Impairment/ High Risk Driving
Drive SOBA
The Drive SOBA Programme (DSP) is an evidenced-based drink driving programme designed to reduce recidivist drink driving. It is targeted at those people with three or more drink driving charges. DSP is delivered in 13 sessions, 12 in a group setting for two hours once a week, and one individual session. The aim is to reduce re-offending by those who complete the programme. The Drive SOBA programme is evidenced-based on the principles of ‘what works’ to reduce recidivism, focusing on ‘criminogenic risk’, ‘criminogenic need’, ‘responsivity’, ‘treatment integrity’ and ‘relapse prevention’, all of which have an impact on reducing re-offending. The Drive SOBA programme operates with the understanding that all principles need to be included for an intervention to be effective in reducing re-offending. Drive SOBA is delivered by the Northland District Health Board.
SAID – Stop Alcohol Impaired Driving
The focus of the SAID programme is on reducing drink-driving by providing education around alcohol, alcohol impairment, and drink-driving. The course is for those with first or second EBA offences. It is delivered as two three hour sessions from 5-8pm. Self referrals are accepted and we have a direct referral system with Corrections, Justice, Police, NDHB and NGO’s. The programme focuses on changing behaviour and justifications around drink-driving as well as providing attendees with problem solving skills, awareness of the consequences, and planning prior to drinking. We are happy to provide an outcome to your referral agency. If you would like to self-refer please contact Bronwen on [email protected] or 021 942 262.
DID – Drug Impaired Driving
A course specifically focused on drug driving that addresses the justifications that contribute to continued drug driving behaviour. DID focuses on facts and the effects of common drugs and the impact on driving. It incorporates evidenced based interventions such as motivational interviewing, cognitive behavioural therapy, and relapse prevention. The evidence around what works with the offender population that has been applied to the drink driving course with a 89% non-reoffending rate is applied. You can self refer by contacting [email protected] or 021 942 262.
Drug Impairment Programme in Schools
The programme is delivered in schools and youth settings, targeting young people to build awareness of the risks and consequences of drug impaired driving. The programme explores common drugs, their effects and how they can affect judgement, reaction times and driving ability. It challenges the beliefs and justifications that can contribute to drug driving and supports young people to make safer decisions. Evidence-based approaches including motivational interviewing, cognitive behavioural strategies and relapse prevention are incorporated to encourage behaviour change and reduce future risk. The programme draws on approaches successfully used in NRST’s existing impaired driving programmes and focuses on prevention, early intervention and safer choices before harmful driving behaviours become established.
Drive SMARTA
Drive Smarta is designed to create behavioural change in drivers demonstrating high speed and other socially deviant driving behaviours. The aim of the Drive Smarta course is to reduce the incidence of speeding and dangerous driving by providing a specific programme for targeted offenders. The course focuses on increasing knowledge related to the risk of speeding and factual evidence of road safety measures. The Drive Smarta course implements evidenced-based practice of ‘what works’ with recidivist offenders. You can self-refer by contacting [email protected] or 021 942 262.
SADD – Students Against Dangerous Driving
SADD is a youth-led organisation that empowers secondary school students to take an active role in road safety, promoting positive attitudes and safer choices among young people before they become drivers. NRST supports SADD to reach high schools across Whangarei and Kaipara.
Restraints
Child Restraints
NRST works alongside Plunket to support child restraint use across Whangarei and Kaipara Districts, providing restraint checks and installation of car seats in vehicles by a qualified technician. Families referred to Plunket in need of support are also provided with car seats. While this programme is focused on ensuring the safety of children 0–8 years of age, we also take the opportunity to talk with the wider whānau about restraint use.
Driver Licensing/Training
Police Learner Licence Support
The programme is delivered in partnership between NRST, NZ Police and AA, targeting young people primarily in Years 11–13 through a three-day programme at schools and marae. Police facilitate learner licence theory and road safety education, using their frontline experience to reinforce the consequences of unsafe driving. NRST coordinates the programme, supports licensing applications and helps address barriers such as ID requirements. Students complete mock tests and can sit their learner licence test on-site using the AA mobile testing unit, improving access to licensing. Following the programme, NRST connects students with further support to progress through the practical stages of the licensing pathway.
Howard League Special Licensing
The programme supports people who have recently been released from incarceration or are otherwise facing barriers to employment to obtain specialist licences such as truck, forklift and other heavy vehicle licences. NRST works alongside the Howard League to support participants through the licensing process, providing guidance, training and practical assistance to help them achieve the required licence. The programme is focused on creating a pathway into employment by removing licensing barriers, while also providing an opportunity to engage participants in positive road safety education.
Driver Licensing Support (Learners/Restricted/Full)
The programme provides driver licensing support for people facing barriers to obtaining their learner, restricted or full licence across Whangarei and Kaipara. It supports rangatahi and adults through schools, community organisations, marae, employment providers and other referral agencies. Support is tailored to each participant and can include Road Code and theory preparation, mentoring, practical driving support, test preparation, licensing applications, and assistance with barriers such as ID, cost and access to testing. The programme prioritises people who may not have access to family support, transport or the financial resources needed to complete the licensing process.
In-curriculum driver licensing
We currently have two schools in Whangarei and Kaipara that hold in-curriculum driver licensing for the learner license and mentor driving for those wanting to obtain a restricted license. This is a two year pilot that the Northland Road Safety Trust is hoping to expand throughout high schools in our region.
Motorcycles
Ride Forever
NRST subsidises Ride Forever training courses, enabling riders within the Whangarei District to attend approved courses at no cost. Ride Forever courses help riders develop safer riding skills, improve hazard awareness, build confidence, and enhance decision-making on the road, supporting ongoing skill development within the local motorcycling community and reducing the risk of motorcycle-related crashes and injuries.
Rider Down
Rider Down is a workshop that equips motorcyclists and their riding companions with the skills to respond confidently if a crash occurs. Participants learn the causes of motorcycle crashes, scene safety and first actions, patient assessment, helmet removal techniques, safe patient positioning, and CPR fundamentals. The workshop builds practical, potentially life-saving skills within the riding community and helps reduce harm in the critical minutes following a crash.
Community & Promotion
Northland Referee Group
NRST provides Road Safety Promotion funding to the Northland Referee Group to deliver targeted road safety messaging to senior rugby teams throughout Northland during the rugby season, with a focus on preventing drink driving and promoting seatbelt use. Referees deliver brief verbal road safety messages to teams following designated fixtures, using agreed scripts and talking points provided by NRST, reinforcing key campaign messages in a positive and relatable way for adult rugby participants. The programme is supported through social media activity and the sharing of approved road safety content across the season.
Fatigue Stops at Uretiti
NRST helps to fund and supports the fatigue stops set up at Uretiti the day before public holidays from October to March/April. These fatigue stops are designed to revive drivers travelling long distances, and provides them and their passengers with coffee, and a range of hot and cold food, paired with road safety messages.
Road Safety Week
Road Safety Week – held in May each year – raises awareness of key road safety concerns — speed, restraints and impairment (high risk), and distraction (lower risk) — and is a chance to involve wider communities, schools and workplaces in promoting safer road choices. NRST works alongside Whangarei District Council and other partners to support Road Safety Week activities across the district, which can include school visits, child restraint checking events, a helmet design competition, motorcycle safety education sessions, and a community road safety event. The week provides a platform to showcase our year-round programmes and strengthen partnerships with emergency services, community organisations, and other stakeholders in delivering positive road safety messages.
