Find a Senior Instructor

If you wish to undergo training to become an instructor, please contact a Senior Instructor in your area from the list below.

The Senior Instructor will be able to discuss your training needs and advise which programme best suits your needs.

We are currently not accepting applications for individuals to become Senior Instructors at this time. Please view the Questions and Answers page for more information about the process used to select the Senior Instructors.

If you have any questions about the deed or becoming a SAFED NZ Driver Instructor please contact us.

Keith Bridgman
NZ Army
Upper Hutt, Wellington
Ph: 04 527 579
Mob: 021 414 474
keith.bridgeman@nzdf.mil.nz

I am the Training Manager for the NZ Army Land Transport Capability Programme which is charged with replacing the current vehicles in the Army. I have about 25 years experience as a driver and driver trainer.

The most important thing I got from the training was the savings that can be made by using SAFEDNZ driving techniques, including keeping the wheels rolling and the benefits of skip shifting etc. What impressed me most was the way slower speeds often translated into quicker trip times. SAFED training not only talks the talk, but also demonstrates in practical terms so drivers will notice in most cases immediate improvements.

John Essex
Master Drive
Christchurch
Ph: 03 341 5630
Mob: 0274 302 716
john.essex@masterdrive.co.nz
www.masterdrive.co.nz

My name is John Essex and I am a Regional Training Manager for Master Drive Services who are a NZQA accredited PTE with 12 branches throughout NZ. I have been involved with the transport industry for 38 years including the last 13 as a driver trainer. While I had been involved in fuel efficiency driving throughout my time as a trainer, I found the SAFEDNZ training to be more focused and effective. While running my 1^st Instructor course, I found that that on 2 drives over a short 37km circuit, the training reduced my number of gear changes by 48% and reduced the amount of fuel I used by 5%. This sort of improvement should convince drivers that, if they maintain the principles of SAFEDNZ, they will not only help their companies to save fuel (and therefore money), but would also improve their driving skills and safety.

Tony Newth
TR Group
Penrose, Auckland
Ph: 0272 927 126
tony@trgroup.co.nz

TR Group recognised the value in bringing the SAFEDNZ programme to New Zealand and are intent on supporting this into the transport industry, I am the operator trainer for TR Group and have been involved in the transport industry for over 20 years, my role within TR Group revolves around helping every one of our customers get the most out of their vehicle every day, while being trained as a senior instructor I was also lucky enough to spend a good amount of time with John Boocock ‘looking under the hood’ of the SAFEDNZ programme and I have seen firsthand how SAFEDNZ has been effectively adapted to suit the New Zealand transport industry while maintaining the key elements of its success.

The most notable difference that I find with the SAFEDNZ programme, is being able to quickly and easily measure the success of the programme and turn those results into real savings for operators, I truly believe that this programme alone can change the landscape of training and operation of vehicles within the transport industry for this simple fact!

The programme is not rocket science – its driving science!

Garry Nielsen
Tranzit Group
Masterton, Wairarpa
Ph: 06 370 4074
Mob: 027 446 0693
gmnielsen@slingshot.co.nz

I have been involved with professional driver training and development for 18 years both with the New Zealand Fire Service and with Tranzit Group where I am currently the Training Manager.

Tranzit Group is a significant operator within the road passenger service in New Zealand. I have enjoyed the confidence and support of the company directors and I have been influential in designing and developing a robust in-house driver development system. This system is designed to capture all the needs and requirement of a bus and coach driver and grading them to the different vehicles in our fleet they are required to drive. The traditional focus of driver development for “skilful driving” is safety out of which falls efficient driving styles. However the principles of SAFEDNZ reversed this with the focus on fuel efficiency out of which falls safe driving.

As a result of John Boocock’s passion, training and influence in the SAFEDNZ project there is no doubt there will be a significant shift in professional driver training in the heavy road transport sector. I predict a significant interest and eventual uptake in the commercial benefits of SAFEDNZ to a fleet operator and also an important link to environmental considerations in commercial contracts. However, in some instances, operators will need initial investment in the related vehicle based technology. This is because many of the principles are based on the “truck science” of modern vehicles. The measurement of savings underpins the implementation, training and ongoing commitment by drivers to the techniques.

Mike Poa
KDTraining.com
Manukau City
Ph: 09 273 1272
Mob: 027 237 8838
SAFED@KDTraining.com
www.KDTraining.com

I am the Training Director of KDTraining.com, which has training centres in Auckland and Christchurch. I have over 30 years experience as a driver trainer. SAFEDNZ has provided me with a greater understanding as to how we can better train drivers in fuel efficient driving techniques – SAFEDNZ certainly helped me lift my own driving skills! Fuel efficient driving of heavy vehicles has a place in every vehicle fleet – whether your fleet is big or small. How can you ignore an opportunity to reduce your fuel usage and improve the profitability of your business?

Stephen Wickens
Whitireia Polytech
Porirua City
Ph: 04 238 4311
Mob: 027 288 5712
Stephen.Wickens@whitireia.ac.nz

I am the Dean of Trades and Transport at Whitireia Polytechnic in Porirua. I have 10 years experience as a bus/coach driver, limited experience as a truck driver, 8 years experience as a driver educator and NZTA Course provider for occupational driving licence classes and endorsements.

My commercial vehicle experience is somewhat dated and relates largely to older under powered trucks and buses. The training brought about a paradigm shift in my thinking about the way modern more powerful vehicles need to be driven. The benefits from the implementation of SAFEDNZ, and the ongoing monitoring of driver performance are obvious in terms of the significant savings to be made, as well as the reduced wear and tear on both vehicle and driver.