He Tangata is our driver licensing support programme where we help whānau overcome barriers to gaining a licence, towards increased independence and wellbeing.

Emani Soane and Te Piki Oranga Tumuaki Anne Hobby with the 2025 Driving Change Cultural Inclusion and Equity trophy awarded to He Tangata.

Under the leadership of driving instructor and Te Piki Oranga kaimahi Emani Soane, He Tangata is also an award-winning programme:

In May 2025, He Tangata won the ‘Cultural Inclusion and Equity’ category of the Driving Change Network Awards
In 2023, He Tangata won the ‘Outstanding By Māori for Māori’ category

The Driving Change Network brings together passionate advocates, industry leaders, policy makers and community organisations dedicated to equitable and accessible driver licensing in Aotearoa.

For the awards this year, Emani took up the wero (challenge) to make a video about how He Tangata helps to reduce cultural and systemic barriers to driver licensing success. The video was submitted for the 2025 awards – winning the ‘Cultural Inclusion and Equity’ category.

Unwavering commitment to whānau

Wendy Robertson, National Director of the Driving Change Network, praised Emani for his “incredible mahi”.

“At the heart of it all is Emani’s unwavering commitment to whānau – creating safe, supportive learning spaces where people feel seen, capable, and proud.

“By centring people, culture, and connection, He Tangata is helping build confidence, independence, and equity on our roads, and Emani’s leadership is driving that change forward,” Wendy says.

Emani’s mihi

“I want to acknowledge Ariel, Leah, and Nikorima for being open to share their story on film.

“As kaimahi you can share stories and the experiences, of some the challenges, courageous conversations, the scary moments, the laughs, the not-joyful occasions, and the celebrations inside and outside of the car. But to have that lived experience of whānau sharing their testimony in this way, you can’t beat it.”

Emani also thanks David Edwards (Nelson Tasman Police) and his Te Pae Oranga hoamahi (colleagues) for connecting him with Police videographer, Jen, to make the video.

Tools are the taonga to success

Emani says that plenty of tools are needed to coach whānau through the graduated licence programme –from learner’s, to restricted to full.

“Using kaupapa Māori and Pasifika (Tokelau) is a great way to connect with your whānau in a classroom environment or in the car,” he says.

“I see my role as being like a kaiwhakaako or pule hiva (educator). You’re responsible for getting them to the level to be able to showcase their skills with confidence on ‘kapahaka day’ (test day). When mistakes happen during lessons, kaiwhakaako will either swap seats and demonstrate the correct procedure, or say “ano” – do it again – until the whānau understands the patterns, manoeuvres or safe car handling.”

Emani gives a big ‘thank you’ to all whānau who have graduated from, and who are enrolled with, He Tangata.

“Thank you for helping to design the taonga and tools that we use today in our driving programme.

“Mihi also to all stakeholders, those of you who tautoko Te Piki Oranga and He Tangata. Mihi to our kaimahi who do all the mahi unseen in the background.”

Click here for more information about He Tangata