NZ Engine

Source: New Zealand Government

The Government is updating New Zealand’s Graduated Driver Licensing System (GDLS) to make it cheaper and easier for young people to get their driver’s licence, Transport Minister Chris Bishop says.

“These will be the first major changes to the driver licensing system since 2011, when the learner licence age was increased from 15 to 16,” Mr Bishop says.

“Driver licences are essential for helping people access jobs, education, and healthcare. For many young Kiwis, gaining a licence is a rite of passage, but the current system is expensive, outdated and no longer works as well as it should.

“Internationally, New Zealand is an outlier in requiring a second practical driving test when moving from a restricted licence to a full licence.

“We’re making practical, common-sense improvements to the driver licensing system to ensure it is accessible, efficient, and affordable, while keeping road safety front and centre.”

Key changes:

• No more full licence test: Drivers will no longer need to sit a second practical test to move from the restricted to full licence, saving time and money.
• Longer time spent on learners for under 25s: There will be a 12-month learner period for under 25s, an increase of 6 months. 
• Option to reduce learner period: There will be an option for under 25s to reduce their 12-month learner period back to six months by recording practice hours or completing an approved practical course.
• New restricted periods: the restricted period will be 12 months for under 25s and six months for over 25s, with no option to reduce it with a defensive driving course.
• Cheaper to get a full licence: The total cost of getting a Class 1 (car) licence will reduce by $80 under the new system.
• Encouraging safe driving: Drivers on their restricted licence will face a further six months on their restricted if they get demerits.
• Fewer eyesight screenings: Eyesight screenings will only be required at the first licence application and at each renewal.
• Zero-alcohol rule expanded: All learner and restricted drivers, regardless of age, will be subject to a zero-alcohol limit.
• Stronger oversight of training providers: NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) will gain new powers to monitor and suspend driver training course providers.
• The removal of the full licence test will apply to Class 1 (car) licences only.
• Changes to eyesight screenings apply to Class 1 and Class 6 (motorcycle) licences.
• NZTA will review the existing learner and restricted tests to ensure they are fit for purpose. The hazard perception part of the current full licence test will be moved to the restricted licence test.
• There are no changes to licence processes and requirements for overseas drivers or senior drivers.
• The Ministry of Transport will undertake a review three years after implementation to assess the impact of the changes on road safety, employment and economic outcomes.
• Most changes will take effect from 25 January 2027. The expanded zero-alcohol limit will be progressed separately.
• More information is on the NZTA website: www.nzta.govt.nz/car-licence-changes

“Taken together, the changes will make it significantly cheaper to get a full driver licence,” Mr Bishop says.

“Under the current system, the total cost of getting a Class 1 car licence is $362.50. Under the new system, the total cost will be $282.50, a saving of $80.

“Removing the second practical test reduces costs and makes it easier to progress to a full licence, provided drivers demonstrate safe driving behaviour while on their restricted licence. Changes to the learner and restricted periods will support young drivers to gain more experience early on, without extending the overall time they spend in the system.

“These changes were informed by public consultation in 2025 and refined to ensure the system strikes the right balance between access and safety.

“Over 4,100 submissions were received during that consultation, showing overall support for the proposed changes,” Mr Bishop says.

“The Government carefully considered the feedback from submitters and agreed to a number of refinements to the original proposals, including extending the learner period, extending the restricted period by six months for drivers who get demerit points rather than resetting it entirely, and keeping the existing demerit threshold for licence suspension for restricted drivers.

“These changes strike the right balance between cost, efficiency, and road safety. Drivers are still expected to prove they can drive safely and responsibly, including maintaining a clean demerit record, before progressing to a full licence.

“The new system will take effect from 25 January 2027. Until then, people will continue to follow the current licensing requirements.

“Our young people and new drivers deserve a licensing system that is fair, accessible, and keeps them and others safe on the road.”

Notes to the editor:

• The removal of the full licence test will apply to Class 1 (car) licences only.
• Changes to eyesight screenings apply to Class 1 and Class 6 (motorcycle) licences.
• NZTA will review the existing learner and restricted tests to ensure they are fit for purpose. The hazard perception part of the current full licence test will be moved to the restricted licence test.
• There are no changes to licence processes and requirements for overseas drivers or senior drivers.
• The Ministry of Transport will undertake a review three years after implementation to assess the impact of the changes on road safety, employment and economic outcomes.
• Most changes will take effect from 25 January 2027. The expanded zero-alcohol limit will be progressed separately.
• More information is on the NZTA website: www.nzta.govt.nz/car-licence-changes

Source: New Zealand Police

A woman failed to outrun accountability and will appear in court over an alleged assault on a bus driver in central Auckland.

On Monday night, Auckland Central Police responded to an assault on a bus driver on Queen Street.

“At about 9.40pm, the driver passed a woman reportedly acting unusually towards the driver while she was on her route,” Area Commander Inspector Grae Anderson says.

“This woman was refused entry but has managed to chase the bus and force her way aboard.”

Once aboard, the driver was allegedly assaulted by this woman.

Inspector Anderson says the woman exited the bus and Police were contacted, with an ambulance attending for the victim.

“Units arriving on scene noticed a woman matching the description of the offender standing by Vulcan Lane,” he says.

“On seeing our staff, she ran off but was quickly chased down and arrested.”

The 20-year-old woman has been charged with injuring with intent to injure and will appear in the Auckland District Court today.

“Being subjected to violence in your workplace is unacceptable and we will continue to hold offenders accountable,” Inspector Anderson says.

ENDS.

Jarred Williamson/NZ Police

Source: New Zealand Government

Midwives are now able to offer a wider range of funded immunisations, supporting families from pregnancy through the early months of a child’s life, Health Minister Simeon Brown says.

“In addition to providing pregnancy vaccines, midwives will now be able to administer funded vaccines to mothers after birth, babies, and eligible family members until the baby is 12 months old,” Mr Brown says.

“This change will improve access to vaccination for expectant mothers, new parents, infants, and close family members, helping to ensure timely protection against vaccine‑preventable diseases.”

In August last year, community midwives became funded to deliver antenatal immunisations to pregnant women. This expansion builds on that progress.

“Midwives are trusted health professionals who see families regularly during pregnancy and after birth. Extending the vaccines they can provide gives mothers and babies more opportunities to get the protection they need, when they need it.

“Providing these vaccinations as part of routine maternity care reduces barriers and makes it easier for families to stay up to date.

“This broader access is particularly important during outbreaks such as measles and the pertussis epidemic. Infants are most at risk from these illnesses, so making vaccination more accessible helps protect newborns and prevent serious disease.”

Health New Zealand, the Ministry of Health, the Midwifery Council, the New Zealand College of Midwives, and the Immunisation Advisory Centre (IMAC) are working together to deliver this initiative.

“Immunisation remains the best protection. By supporting midwives to offer a wider range of funded immunisations, we are making it easier for families to access essential healthcare and ensuring more Kiwis are protected from preventable illness,” Mr Brown says.

Source: New Zealand Transport Agency

Stantec and WSP have been selected to provide technical expertise for this next important phase of work. Their appointment secures the professional services needed to support the detailed design and statutory approvals for the project.

Richard Osborne, Regional Manager System Design, says the contract award is a significant milestone.

“We received high-quality tender submissions from multiple consultancies. Each firm invested significant time and effort in preparing their proposals, making the contract decision a challenging one.”

“We are excited to partner with Stantec and WSP to deliver this next phase of the project,” Mr Osborne says.

He says specialist assessments and investigations – such as geotechnical investigations and noise assessments – will form a key part of this stage. NZTA/Waka Kotahi and contractors will also progress other statutory requirements needed for construction during this design phase.

“We are aiming to start specialist assessments in March 2026, with detailed design completed by mid-2027.”

“It is a significant programme of work to complete and finalise designs for both Stages 1 and 2, covering the sections between SH6 and Link Road, through to SH60 Appleby Highway and SH6 Gladstone Road intersection,” Mr Osborne says.

He acknowledges the high level of public interest in the project and thanks all those in the community who attended project drop-in sessions in November last year.

“We received valuable information from landowners, businesses and the community during this engagement that will be incorporated into this phase of work. We will continue to update the community through our project e-newsletters and website, and we will be in contact with directly impacted landowners, residents, and businesses as we work through different investigations and assessments.”

“We will have another round of community drop-in sessions in late 2026 to share the detailed design with the public,” Mr Osborne says.

Construction timeframes for the project are still to be finalised and are dependent on the outcome of the Government‘s prioritisation process for the wider RoNS programme.

View larger SH6 Hope Bypass proposed two-stage implementation map

Learn more about the project and sign up for project e-newsletters at:

• SH6 Hope Bypass

What the investment case proposed

The investment case proposes a 2 staged implementation approach.

Stage 1: 

• a new grade separated interchange on SH6 at Salisbury Road Extension (local road over)  
• upgrading the Richmond Deviation from a 2-lane road to 4 lanes  
• widening Lower Queen Street and Gladstone Road to accommodate an additional right turn lane  
• signalising the intersection of Lower Queen Street and Stratford Street  

Stage 2: 

• new 4-lane grade separated interchange at Lower Queen Street  
• 4-lane Richmond bypass  
• new 2-lane roundabout at SH60 intersection. 

The project will retain cycleway routes and connections. 
The designation between SH60/Gladstone Road intersection out to Eden Road in Hope is to be retained for future development.  

Background on Hope Bypass

The route of the Hope Bypass was designated in 1964. Richmond is growing at a significant rate, with development in Richmond West and planned development in Richmond South areas occurring sooner than originally anticipated.  

Due to this growth, in 2021, NZTA undertook the Richmond Transport Programme Business Case (PBC). The PBC was developed jointly between Tasman District Council and NZTA. The PBC highlighted the Hope Bypass as a long-term transportation route should additional capacity in the network be required based on future demand between Hope and Whakatu Drive. In response to this, the Hope Bypass designation (the southern end of the route) lapse date was extended from November 2023 until 1 November 2038. 

Source: New Zealand Police

Both State Highway 1 near Tamahere and State Highway 26 / Morrinsville Road in Newstead are open following two separate serious crashes this morning. 

Police thank motorists across the district for their patience as emergency services worked the scenes during high traffic this morning. 

ENDS 

Issued by Police Media Centre

Source: New Zealand Government

Helping New Zealand job seekers get their driver licence is one of the best ways to help them get a job and Government-funded driver training is well and truly exceeding its licence targets, Minister of Social Development and Employment Louise Upston says. 

“Around 70 per cent of jobs require a person to have a driver licence, reinforcing the importance of the Government’s investment in driver licence training,” Louise Upston says.

“In the last year, MSD’s Driver Licence Support programme has secured 21,063 enrolments, ahead of the 19,000 placement target. 

“We know getting a driver’s licence can change a life, as it has in the case of a young Auckland woman on Jobseeker Support. The case manager suggested she consider applying for a job in traffic management, but that relied on her having a driver licence. 

“The woman started driving lessons with the support of the programme and soon after was able to sit and pass her restricted licence, then starting a job as a traffic controller with Fulton Hogan.

“The driver licence was the key to her getting the job and starting an independent life. In other examples, people have been able to get jobs with shift work because of having a driver licence or take a rurally-based job on a farm because they can now drive there.

“We know that a challenging employment environment has made things difficult for job seekers.  

“We hear many successful stories of how a driver licence has been a turning point in contributing to a change in circumstances – getting a job, being able to care for and support family, and driving legally.

“Programmes like Driver Licence Support ultimately make for safer and stronger families and communities,” Louise Upston says. 

Notes for Editors 

• The Driver Licence Support programme began in 2023 and over 34,000 licences have been issued in that time.
• Youth aged between 18 and 24 make up nearly 40 per cent of the participants.
• The overall pass rate of the programme is 82 percent.