Te Piki Oranga Driving Programme

Te Piki Oranga is a Māori wellness service based in the Top of the South Island. Driving Instructor Emani Soane says “The He Tangata driving programme works towards getting our whanau of all ages the support they need to gain their driver’s licence. I was working part time up until the start of 2022. Currently, I am the only driving instructor as well as having an amazing administration team behind me. We support getting our whanau learners, restricted and full licences. We receive referrals through our own kamahi’s clients, local iwi, Nelson Tasman Pasifika Trust and Te Pae Oranga. 

Our programme has grown over the years due to the success of our Māori, Pasifika and rangatahi passing. Our main drive is making a difference in our whanau’s lives. The relief that whanau feel after they finally pass their test, the tears and excitement make it all worth it. We get to know our whanau, what their reasoning is behind getting a licence and what the barriers are for them. We tautoko, awhi and manaaki our whanau. We try to be as flexible as we can, booking in lessons last minute, working around difficult work schedules and of course the inspirational pep talks in the car right before the test is about to start. Since 2019, we have supported over 300 whanau in getting their licences.” 

 The main barriers Emani and his team see are cost, language, anxiety, low self-esteem and fear of failure. They take a Kaupapa Māori approach in all they do – such as renaming hazards as “Bro checks” and “Tamariki checks”. They take a unique approach to our learners’ courses and really take the time to support whānau when going through this process. They know that sitting a normal course, or going to a regular driving instructor may not always be the best way for them to learn. 

 “It is extremely rewarding to be able to see the success that our programme, and the entire driving change network brings around the motu” says Emani