The road to success for Hurunui’s Driver Mentor Programme

This week is National Volunteer Week, a chance here in Hurunui to celebrate those people in our communities who do their bit to help others… because they want to.

For many Hurunui residents, gaining a driver licence can be life-changing—and a local team of volunteers are helping make that happen.

The Hurunui Community Driver Mentor Programme, launched in May 2022, has been recognised this week with a Volunteer Recognition Award from Volunteering Canterbury for its dedication to helping residents gain their restricted and full driver licences, alongside providing learner licence theory education.

Hurunui District Council’s Safer Roads Facilitator, Emma Feathery, says the programme’s success comes down to its volunteers.

“Our success is entirely thanks to our mentors, who all give their time voluntarily. They’re deeply committed to helping people succeed, and they understand just how life-changing a driver licence can be in a rural community—opening up access to employment, education and services.”

She says many participants begin with little to no experience.

“Many start with the programme from zero, with limited resources and experience. We support people who are unlikely to be able to successfully navigate the graduated licence pathway in the traditional way. We provide supervision with a mentor, access to vehicles for practice, and professional driving lessons.”

There are currently seven mentors supporting learners across Hurunui, meeting weekly with mentees, with sessions often beginning at the learner’s home before travelling to a busier centre such as Rangiora, helping build confidence navigating roundabouts, intersections and traffic lights.

Since 2022, a total of 16 driver mentors have contributed to the programme. Feathery acknowledged both past and present volunteers’ contributions in leading to the current group receiving this award.

The programme has continued to grow and diversify, with successful funding secured in 2024 enabling the purchase of two fleet vehicles. In May this year, practical driving lessons for people aged 65 and over were introduced on a trial basis, which is already proving successful. The programme is inclusive by design, supporting anyone in need from youth and adults to migrants to the district, ensuring more people can access the skills and confidence needed to become safe, independent drivers.

Driver mentor Ken McIntosh from Culverden received the award with Feathery on Monday afternoon.

He said it’s great to see the Programme recognised, as its benefits for people living rurally is huge.

“Having a driver licence opens up so many opportunities for exploring employment,” said McIntosh.

He’s been a driver mentor for a couple of years, and enjoys the fact every mentee has different challenges and strengths.

“It’s about being on the journey with them, and celebrating with them the progress they make,”

Since its inception, the Programme has supported 132 people through learner licence theory education and practical licence progression (Restricted and Full licences), helping build safer, more connected communities across Hurunui.

The Programme was developed in response to the significant barrier that not having a driver licence poses challenges for gaining employment, alongside concerns from emergency services that improved skills and confidence could help prevent poor decision-making on the roads.

“Many thanks to the support of various funders over time, and more recently New Zealand Transport Authority, we are thrilled the initiative continues to grow,” said Feathery.