As youth road incidents continue to be a concern in New Zealand, insurance provider Star Insure has joined forces with driver education programme Street Smart to support practical training for young drivers across the country.
The collaboration will help Street Smart deliver its hands-on workshops to more participants nationwide. The programme focuses on real-world driving scenarios not typically covered in standard learner curriculums.
Star Insure’s involvement is intended to increase access to the programme and raise awareness about road safety among young drivers. For founder John Baker, the partnership is part of the company’s broader effort to contribute to safer communities through long-term, skills-based initiatives.
“This is a deliberate and meaningful investment by Star Insure towards the safety and well-being of young Kiwi drivers. Street Smart’s proven programme aligns perfectly with our philosophy of creating tangible pathways to upskill young drivers. It also nurtures responsible road behaviour for future generations,” Baker said.
That external support is essential, Street Smart programme director Hayden Dickason said, especially for a community-driven initiative that depends on ongoing funding to stay operational.
“We are a not-for-profit charitable trust that relies on external funding to deliver the Street Smart programme. Our common goal is building our young drivers to be safer and more aware on our roads,” Dickason said.
The initiative has also received long-standing support from motorsport veteran Greg Murphy, who serves as Chair of the Street Smart Charitable Trust. He welcomed the new partnership and its potential to strengthen the programme’s reach.
“Street Smart is all about equipping drivers with the skills and awareness to handle the many challenges they face on the road, ultimately helping reduce crash rates through better decision making. We’re proud to welcome Star Insure to the Street Smart family. They fully recognise the importance of this mission, and we’re honoured to have them join us on our journey to improve road safety, change outcomes, and save lives,” Murphy said.
