Empowering Lives of our Diverse Communities, One Driver Licence at a Time
On its 4th year, a community driving school operated by the Migrant Action Trust in collaboration with local community groups through The PETER Collective is empowering the lives of our diverse communities, one driver licence at a time.
This year the Puketapapa Community Driving School (PCDS) successfully trained over 200 migrants and former refugees towards gaining their restricted and full driving tests. Before the August 2021 lockdown, 97 programme participants passed their practical tests and are now able to access New Zealand’s roads safely and independently, while also increasing their chances to get jobs and reducing social isolation.
One of our biggest success stories in 2021 was helping Amino, a young Somali single mum to get her restricted licence. Being deaf didn't stop her from learning. Thanks to our most patient instructors and volunteer mentor Kevin, who offered sign language support, Amino got her restricted licence last May.
“Our refugee-background learners face financial, literacy and language barriers. Getting a licence means a world of difference for all of them,” says Amie Maga, PCDS Manager.
Rina Capila, PCDS instructor shared her experience teaching an Afghani single mum: “I had tears of joy when she passed. She doesn't understand English, so I tried to use google translation for her to understand my instructions. I draw and even walk with her around the intersections for her to understand what safe driving is. Her struggles as a single mum and refugee touched me a lot, and I know having a licence will ease the burden.”
“The feedback from our learner drivers is truly heart-warming so we’d like to help more urgent referrals from our diverse communities as much as we can. As a community-owned social enterprise, we deliver driving lessons for those who can afford to pay the full costs, then use the income to give subsidised driving lessons for learners who face multiple barriers,” Maga explained.
“A driver's licence is important to me because I am a student and responsible for my children. You can't imagine the hassles of getting kids to school and going to university daily, plus using Uber for emergency and hospital appointments. Now things are much easier. I feel free to move anytime and anywhere. I can't forget last year's lockdown. It was hard to find someone to take me to buy food and supplies."- Hanan
“I was able to help my mum during lockdown. My mum is a health worker, and she can’t take bus all the time. So it was my duty to drop her to work. Now I can drive alone buy some groceries and stuff. This is a little bit help for my family. Driving was my first step to help my family.” - Serene
“I’ve been able to help my family more like getting groceries, dropping off my brother and picking up from school. From a personal perspective it has given a lot of confidence. As a young person, whenever you are with your friends, there is a stigma of you still having your learner’s. I chose to enrol at PCDS as I always thought the social enterprise side of the business is amazing. The buy one and give one for someone with refugee background and struggling to afford a driving lesson was really cool. I really like the fulfilment it gave me that my money would be going towards someone in need and potentially make a difference in their lives.” – Nina
“Before I just ride a bus. Sometimes the bus would take a while, so it was hard for me especially going home late. Now I’m working as a support worker. I drive a lot going to my clients’ homes. Excellent cause, you are really helping the migrants and refugees to learn to drive.” - Christine
PCDS also supports the Road to Zero strategy of Waka Kotahi for a New Zealand where no one is killed or seriously injured in road crashes. To book driving lessons and/or donate towards subsidised lessons for former refugees, please check out pcds.co.nz
After a year in Australia: 'Honestly, this place is cheaper than NZ'
When I left NZ, it seemed I was part of an exodus. Little did I know that exodus was only going to intensify.
It seems every other week, another friend or colleague announces their move across the Tasman. And, look, the lure of Australia is undeniable – better pay, improved working conditions, and yes, the sunshine.
Watch Aziz's price comparison in full on TVNZ+
A year on, we now know more than 85,000 New Zealanders have flocked across the ditch. It seems while the ibis might be notorious for scavenging, the kiwi is now the one crossing the ditch in search of better pickings.
Here’s why.
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Let’s kick things off easy with housing. According to CoreLogic’s latest figures, if you’re looking to buy a home, Australia seems to have the edge (unless you’re planning to buy in Sydney, then good luck).
The median house price in Australia is, in NZ dollars, just over $880,000, compared to New Zealand’s $931,000, Even in the pricey cities of Sydney and Auckland, the numbers are comparable, with homes costing nearly $1.3 million.
If you’re renting like me, you’re going to be paying more though, especially if you’re living in Sydney. The average national Aussie rent is around $695 per week, while TradeMe says it’s slightly cheaper in New Zealand at $610.
But if you’re in Auckland, prepare to shell out about $660 weekly compared to Sydney’s eye-watering $820.
Utilities and Groceries
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When it comes to utilities, shock-horror, Australians again come out on top. Canstar Blue shows the average monthly electricity bill is $122, far cheaper than the $196 Kiwis pay. And in Australia, we pay our power quarterly.
Personally, because I live on my own here, my bill roughly hits $200-$250 every three months.
When it comes to groceries, prices are on the rise in Australia, with the latest figures showing they are actually the most expensive we’ve seen in a while. The kicker is we are spoiled for choice when it comes to our supermarkets.
The Australian Bureau of Statistics says the average Australian household spends about $208 a week on food, while New Zealanders are hit with a whopping $300 weekly bill (Source: Stats NZ).
It appears more competition and scrutiny in the Aussie market drive prices down, giving shoppers better deals.
Salaries: Show me the money
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The average weekly wage in Australia is around $2,094, adding up to nearly $109,000 annually (Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics).
Compare that to New Zealand’s $1,593 weekly wage, or about $80,000 a year (Source: Stats NZ), and the difference is stark.
This earning potential is a huge draw for Kiwis, especially professionals like nurses and police officers, as highlighted in my Great Brain Drain series. 1News revealed 322 New Zealand officers applied to work with Queensland Police in the last year, and our nursing sector has lost nearly 24,000 registered nurses to Australia. Those are only the ones we know of who have registered under the Trans-Tasman Mutual Agreement.
With a salary increase of almost 30% in some cases, the promise of higher pay and better working conditions is hard to resist.
A mixed bag of inflation and employment
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It is no secret Australia is also grappling with its own cost-of-living crisis, but there's a silver lining. Recent figures show a robust job market with low unemployment in June 2024 (Source: ABS).
Meanwhile, in New Zealand, inflation has dipped slightly, leading to a cut in home loan rates, but unemployment remains a concern as many Kiwis seek better opportunities abroad.
The overall picture
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Is the move worth it? For many, it seems the answer is a resounding yes.
But Australia does have its own cost-of-living challenges. People are struggling to pay their rent and keep their fridges stocked.
As a Kiwi who has just come here, I can say hand on heart the cost of living in New Zealand is just as bad as Australia, made worse by our lower salaries.
With that said, while it’s crucial to weigh individual circumstances and long-term goals, the grass does seem greener on the other side.
But I’m still holding out hope for New Zealand. Addressing these issues at home could help retain our talent and make our own patch of grass just as green.
After all, there’s no place quite like Aotearoa.
Sources:
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• Australian Median House Price: CoreLogic Australia
• Sydney Median House Price: CoreLogic Australia
• NZ Median House Price: CoreLogic NZ
• Auckland Median House Price: CoreLogic NZ
• Australia Rent: CoreLogic Australia
• NZ Rent: TradeMe
• Australia Power: Canstar Blue
• NZ Power: Canstar Blue
• Australia Groceries: Finder, Australian Bureau of Statistics
• NZ Groceries: Stats NZ, Wise Move
• Australia Salary: Australian Bureau of Statistics
• NZ Salary: Stats NZ
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www.1news.co.nz...
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