The government is increasing support for people who struggle to access driver's licence testing and training.
File pic Photo: 123RF
With an $86.5 million investment in Budget 2022, the government estimates 64,000 more people will be able to get a licence.
Social Development Minister Carmel Sepuloni said having a driver's licence was necessary for about two-thirds of jobs, but a big proportion of the community could not access training or tests due to the cost and other barriers.
Carmel Sepuloni Photo: RNZ / Dan Cook
"This disproportionally disadvantages Māori, Pacific peoples, sole parents and rural communities."
Only a quarter of 19-24-year-old Māori have their full licence, compared to almost half of New Zealand Europeans the same age, she said.
"This helps to address that disparity with regards to making sure that more New Zealanders, particularly those who have been disadvantaged historically, get access to a licence."
Sepuloni said improving access to drivers' licences could also help to keep people out of prison.
"There certainly is research out there that shows that driving without a licence or on the wrong licence is often what leads people to their first interaction with the justice system. We certainly want to stop that being the case."
Minister of Transport Michael Wood said the initiative would help reduce debts from fines for not having a licence and the related risk of getting a criminal record, and would help expand access to driver licence support.
He said areas, including Northland and Tairawhiti, were two pressure points.
"Probably every week I get correspondence from mayors and community leaders around this issue so it's one of the things I most consistently hear about as Transport Minister. This is exactly what this package is about addressing," he said.
"We're not announcing very specific proposals today but this funding will enable us to work with those communities to get services to where they're most needed."
Auckland Chamber of Commerce chief executive Michael Barnett said having a driver's licence was fundamental to getting a job, and the programme would help those in low decile schools access lessons and testing.
"It's simple for me, young people today are either going to leave school and have easy access to jobs or go onto a benefit. If we can get them a licence they will be employed."