Staff Reporter
New migrants who mistakenly believe that they are expert drivers and can easily tackle New Zealand roads often regret their haste and then consider ways and means of getting around traffic regulations.
Those making the country’s largest city their new home should consider themselves lucky with a series of free workshops beginning shortly.
Organised by the Auckland Regional Migrant Services Charitable Trust (ARMS) in partnership with Auckland Transport, the workshops will deal with a number of important issues including driving licences, road rules and car seat safety.
Plunket, Auckland District Health Board, NZ Police, the Insurance Council of New Zealand and Community Law Centres will provide easy-to-understand interactive presentations on the aforementioned issues, in addition to legal rights and car insurance as part of the ARMS Community Road Safety workshops taking place across Auckland.
The Schedule
Following is the timetable of the Workshops funded by Auckland Transport.
May 1: ARMS offices at 532 Mt Albert Road (Three Kings)
May 15: St Heliers Community Centre, 100 St Heliers Bay Road
May 23: New Zealand African Welfare Services Centre, 35 Railside Avenue, Henderson
May 30, Ormiston Senior College, South Auckland.
All workshops will commence at 930 am and conclude at 1210 pm.
ARMS Regional Communications Manager Chinwe Akomah said that new migrants come from countries where road rules and the concept of safe driving vary.
“The aim of these workshops is to equip new migrants with the tools and information to drive safety and legally,” she said.
The ARMS Regional Bus Tour will also return on April 18.
According to Ms Akomah, the tour, conducted in partnership with the Auckland Council, takes sightseeing migrants to Auckland Museum, Takapuna Beach and Botanic Gardens and Arataki Visitor’s Centre.
“Tickets are priced at $15 for adults and $5 for children under five years. The tour starts and concludes at ARMS offices respectively at 820 am and 430 pm. We recommend tourists to bring their own lunch although a short snack is included in the package,” she said.
A number of other workshops are also being held from April 20.
Further information can be obtained on (09) 6252440; Email: reception@arms-mrc.org.nz
