Thursday, 18 November 2021 06:55

Rural license support

Written by Staff Reporters

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Rural Communities Minister Damien O'Connor.

An extra $600,000 in funding to support driver licensing and education programmes in rural communities across NZ has been committed by the Government.

Rural Communities Minister Damien O'Connor says the funding, provided by the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI), will be spread over three years to boost the Waka Kotahi Community Road Safety Fund.

Waka Kotahi will use the funding to partner with community providers to deliver rural-focused driver licensing and education, which will include free driving lessons. The aim is to help people to get jobs in the food and fibre sector and learn how to drive safely.

O'Connor says it builds on previous work funded by MPI earlier this year to help migrants in Mid-Canterbury to get their driver's licence and supports the Government's goal of boosting jobs in the food and fibre sector.

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