Transcript
It has taken Samoan grandfather Iopu Faivalu more than 10 years to get his New Zealand driver's licence.
Mr Faivalu and his 18-year-old daughter were among the group of 128 people who received their licences.
The 62-year-old arrived in NZ in 2009 and says it has been a long time coming but he is happy he is legal.
Speaking through an interpreter, he urged Maori and Pasifika people to get their driver's licence.
"It's really important for us to comply with the laws and to be on the right side of the law. And to know exactly the responsibility of driving a car. For the safety of our homes and for the safety of our people - both Maori and Pacific Island people. Everyone needs to have their licence."
Iopu Faivalu hails from Toamua Village and says learning was made easy with language translators on hand to help.
Employment Minister Willie Jackson says the aim of the "Licensed to Success" program is to help Maori and Pasifika people gain employment and to reduce driving infringements.
"It's a wonderful event to see so many young Pasifika people getting their licences. And if they don't get themselves licensed, they can get themselves into a heck of a lot of trouble. But when they get their licences, it changes their lives."
Community leader Victor Pouese, who helped identify those who needed help, says many of the people don't understand the importance of having a licence.
"Now they feel obligated. They feel that this is a very heavy responsibility to be responsible for the passengers' life is really in their hands."
Reverend Pouese is urging church and community leaders to work closely with government agencies to help Maori and Pacific people.
"So I think it's just that that kind of lack of information and people following their uncles or aunties and what they said without listening to the people behind the law and explaining to them properly. What they are in this when they drive behind the wheel and be responsible for that."
The chief executive of the Auckland Chamber of Commerce, Michael Barnett, says the graduates now have the opportunity help their families and community.
"And so we know that if a person has a licence, they have seven times more jobs available to them. So that allows for them to pursue those jobs have a license allows them to be reliable and that allows them to be able to and to get to those jobs and be responsible."
Police say such programmes can help reduce infringements and traffic offences and deliver better outcomes for Pasifika people.
The 'Licensed for Success' initiative involved the Ministry of Social Development, Police, Ministry of Justice and Auckland Business Chamber.
