In a significant step towards enhancing road safety for New Zealand’s youth, Star Insure has announced an impactful new partnership with Street Smart NZ, a nationwide charitable programme dedicated to teaching young drivers advanced, life-saving road safety skills. This collaboration goes beyond the provision of insurance—it’s an investment in the lives and well-being of young people, aiming to create lasting change on the country’s roads.
About Street Smart NZ
Street Smart NZ, relaunched by the Tony Quinn Foundation, is a not-for-profit trust offering practical, hands-on education that exceeds the standard learner driver curriculum. The programme focuses on sharpening decision-making, improving hazard perception, and instilling lifelong responsible road behaviours in its participants. Street Smart NZ’s mission is particularly urgent, considering the tragic loss of 359 young drivers on New Zealand roads since 2021—a figure deemed entirely unacceptable by the programme’s supporters.
To deliver these life-saving skills, Street Smart NZ relies on external funding, emphasizing the critical role that partnerships play in sustaining its work. The trust’s efforts are supported by major organisations like Star Insure, further enabling the programme’s reach and impact.
Shared Vision for Road Safety
Star Insure’s commitment to road safety is deeply personal. Founder and Chairman John Baker highlights that this partnership represents more than a corporate alliance—it’s a meaningful investment that aligns closely with Star Insure’s philosophy of creating real, tangible pathways for upskilling young drivers and building a safer future for all road users. As Baker articulates, the potential to save lives and positively impact future generations is at the core of this initiative.
Nick Baker, CEO of Star Insure, further echoes this ethos: “This partnership is fuelled by a shared vision to actively reduce road fatalities by equipping young drivers with the crucial tools for safe navigation. For us at Star Insure, this goes far beyond a traditional sponsorship; it’s about ‘doing, not just donating’”. The focus is on proactive involvement, ensuring that the company contributes meaningfully to a national movement for safer roads.
The Street Smart Impact: Endorsement and Community Involvement
The effectiveness of the Street Smart programme is widely recognised, particularly for its hands-on, practical approach that extends well beyond basic licensing requirements. Programme Director Hayden Dickason stresses the importance of partnerships in making the programme accessible, and highlights how responsible vehicle ownership, including insurance, plays a vital role in broader road safety.
The initiative also enjoys strong support from motorsport legend Greg Murphy, an ambassador and champion of the Street Smart Charitable Trust. Murphy underscores the programme’s aim to equip drivers with essential skills and awareness to face on-road challenges, thereby reducing crashes through better decision-making. Welcoming Star Insure as a partner, he notes the company’s genuine recognition of the importance of this mission.
How to Support Street Smart NZ
As a not-for-profit organisation, Street Smart NZ depends heavily on the generosity of individuals and organisations to continue its vital work. Supporters can contribute by making one-off donations, sponsoring groups of young drivers to attend the programme, or exploring partnership opportunities to make a lasting impact on road safety across New Zealand.
The partnership between Star Insure and Street Smart NZ is a compelling example of how corporate and charitable collaboration can drive meaningful social change. By pooling resources, expertise, and a shared vision, these organisations are not just talking about safer roads—they’re actively working to make them a reality for New Zealand’s future generations.
For those seeking more information or wishing to get involved, Street Smart NZ provides multiple avenues for contact—via phone, email, or their website.
