Showing Up for Safer Roads – Wairarapa Youth Symposium Recap
We were thrilled to be part of another successful Wairarapa Youth Road Safety Symposium, an annual event led by Wairarapa’s amazing Road Safety Coordinator and superstar, Holly Hullena. This event continues to highlight collaboration between local organisations, all coming together to support and empower young people to make safer choices on our roads.
The day featured a diverse range of speakers and workshops that informed, inspired, and sparked great conversations:
Jill Stewart from Greater Wellington Regional Council invited students to share their thoughts on the current transport system, helping shape future planning.
Marcus Anselm Communications and Engagement Manager from Carterton District Council, provided insightful tips on how to better engage communities around road safety.
Megan Drayton from TrackSAFE NZ showcased new resources and shared updates on the Youth Awards that help promote rail safety in schools.
Debbie Lang from NZTA Waka Kotahi introduced the group to DRIVE, an online learning tool that supports young drivers through the graduated licensing system.
Bobbi Hutchinson from Kaitiaki o Ara/SADD shared details about the new Term 3 campaign — "Show Up" — which focuses on showing up for yourself, your mates, and your community when it comes to road safety.
We were also proud to be joined by student representatives from four Wairarapa schools. Throughout the day, they worked together to create inspiring content around how they “show up” for road safety — demonstrating leadership, creativity, and a strong commitment to making a positive impact in their communities.
A huge thank you to all the speakers, students, and supporters who made this event so meaningful. We’re already looking forward to next year!