Driver licensing and identity services in Richmond will move to a new home at Richmond Mall, with Te Kotahi o Te Tauihu Trust partnering with AA to continue delivering the service.
From Monday, 29 June 2026, the service will relocate from the Tasman District Council office to Te Kotahi’s new premises at 222 Queen Street, between House of Travel and BNZ.
The partnership follows the decision not to renew council’s contract for delivering driver licensing and identity services. Te Kotahi will manage the premises, staffing and day-to-day operations of the Richmond service, while AA will continue to provide training, systems, technology, signage and operational support.
Customers will continue to access the same AA driver licensing and identity services, with experienced customer service staff transferring to Te Kotahi as part of the transition.
For Te Kotahi, the partnership builds on work underway since 2023 to support people through community driver licensing support and driver education programmes.
“A driver licence is often the key that unlocks opportunity,” Te Kotahi pouwhakahaere – general manager, Darney Takao says. “It can mean access to work, training, education and greater independence for individuals and whānau. This partnership allows us to build on the work we've already been doing across Te Tauihu and create even more pathways for people to succeed.”
Darney says, between July 2023 and June 2026, the trust delivered 4,297 lessons resulting in 256 individuals who successfully gained Restricted and Full licenses, with another 127 successfully passing their Learner Licence.
The organisation says it is also welcoming experienced local staff, whose knowledge and community connections will support the continued delivery of services.
The partnership supports the long-term sustainability of Te Kotahi’s driver licensing initiatives and aims to improve access to services across the region.
The arrangement currently applies only to the Richmond site.
AA services will continue in Motueka while a long-term provider is identified. In Mohua/Golden Bay, AA will move to, and run, a mobile service model.
Te Kotahi and AA say they are committed to ensuring these services remain available locally, with the new Richmond Mall location opening to customers from 29 June.
