“Kei ia mokopuna te mana whakarite kia hari pai tōna whaioranga, kia rongo i te āhurutanga o tōna taiao, ā, kia ātawhai i roto i te poho o tōna whānau.”

“It is the right of each mokopuna to enjoy good health, to be nurtured and protected in a safe environment cloaked in Te Kōhanga Reo korowai of freedom, dignity and respect.”

Te Korowai 1995, p. 20

Kia ora e te whānau,

The next waka compliance wānanga are coming to Te Waipounamu (D10), with the Waka Compliance team visiting Nelson, Christchurch, Dunedin and Invercargill from 19 to 21 October 2026.

These wānanga provide Kōhanga Reo whānau with an opportunity to meet directly with the team, ask questions and receive practical guidance and support with transport safety and compliance.

Following the Notice of Improvement issued by Waka Kotahi, NZ Transport Agency, the team will work through what is required for kaitaraiwa, waka and safe travel practices, and help whānau understand the next steps and the support available.

Feedback from the wānanga held so far has been positive. Whānau have appreciated the face-to-face kōrero, which has helped make the Notice of Improvement and the practical compliance steps clearer. Some kaitaraiwa have already completed their Passenger (P) endorsements and are encouraging others to get underway.

If your kōhanga has questions or concerns about the P endorsement process, please come along and talk them through with the team.
 

What will be covered at the wānanga?
 

• An overview of NZTA compliance requirements

• The expectations arising from the Notice of Improvement

• Passenger (P) endorsement requirements for kaitaraiwa

• Checking kaitaraiwa details and compliance requirements

• Waka registration, vehicle usage, classification (MR14) and Certificate of Fitness requirements

• Practical steps and forms needed to progress compliance

• Safe travel practices, including seatbelts and child restraints

• Record keeping, standard operating procedures and reporting requirements

• Questions or concerns whānau may have

Confirmed dates and venues

The Waka Compliance team will be in Te Waipounamu from 19 to 21 October 2026. Please see the confirmed programme below.

Do not wait for the wānanga
 

The wānanga will provide practical support, but all Kōhanga Reo should continue progressing the compliance mahi now. Early action will help whānau prepare, meet the required standards and keep mokopuna safe.

Why your participation is important

Te Kōhanga Reo National Trust holds the Transport Service Licence for the kaupapa. This means the Trust and Kōhanga Reo whānau have responsibilities to make sure kaitaraiwa and waka meet the required transport safety and compliance standards. This mahi is about keeping mokopuna safe and ensuring Kōhanga Reo transport services are legal and fit for purpose. Some Kōhanga Reo may already be well underway, while others may need more guidance.

Guidance and support

For questions about transport safety or compliance, please contact [email protected].

For further information, please log in to the Kōhanga Reo website using your kōhanga email address and password, then view the Vehicle and Driver Compliance page.

Ngā mihi nui ki a koutou mō tō koutou tautoko.

Nā mātou,
Te Kōhanga Reo National Trust