7 July 2026
Families across New Zealand will have greater access to expert child car seat safety advice and support, thanks to a $493,690 grant from NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) that will see Whānau Āwhina Plunket expand its car restraint checking services to more communities.
Plunket data shows as many as nine out of every 10 child car restraints (such as capsules, car seats and booster seats) checked at their community clinics are incorrectly fitted or used, putting pēpi and tamariki at unnecessary risk every time they travel by car.
The most common issues include infants travelling in capsules they have outgrown, incorrectly installed restraints, children using restraints that are not appropriate for their age or size, or children travelling without any car restraint at all.
Funding from NZTA's Community Road Safety Fund will strengthen Plunket's Child Restraint Technician (CRT) programme throughout the next 12 months, increasing the availability of qualified technicians who provide child car seat checks, installation support, education and advice to help keep pēpi and tamariki safe on New Zealand roads.
The expansion will improve access to Plunket's services in areas where support is currently limited, with a particular focus on rural communities and areas experiencing high demand, including Christchurch, West Coast, Wellington, Manawatu/Whanganui, Bay of Plenty and South Auckland.
Child Restraint Technicians in these areas will provide practical support and education through community-based child restraint checking clinics. A virtual support service will mean whānau in remote locations can access advice where in-person support is not available.
Whānau Āwhina Plunket Head of Community Services David Ensor says the funding will enable Plunket to reach families with limited access to specialist child restraint services:
"Every family deserves to feel confident that their child is safe while they travel"
"We know many parents and caregivers want to do the right thing but often don't realise their child's restraint isn't fitted correctly. This funding means we can expand our services into more parts of Aotearoa, giving more whānau access to trusted, evidence-based advice close to home."
Karen Jones, NZTA General Group Manager Engagement & Partnerships says investing in community-based initiatives is an important part of improving road safety outcomes for young New Zealanders:
"Correctly installed and appropriately fitted child restraints are one of the most effective ways to protect children travelling in vehicles. This investment will help more families access trusted advice where it is needed most, and prevent harm to children travelling on our roads."
Whānau Āwhina Plunket has provided child restraint education and safety checks for more than 40 years and currently delivers services through a small team of Child Restraint Technicians working in selected communities across the country.
Ensor says Plunket's strength lies in its trusted relationships with families and communities.
"This investment allows us to reach more whānau, particularly those who have previously faced barriers to accessing child restraint services because of where they live or their circumstances.
"We're grateful to NZTA for recognising both the need and the opportunity to make a meaningful difference for families across Aotearoa."
The service will be delivered in partnership with local communities and organisations, including health providers, iwi, community groups and road safety partners, helping ensure more children travel safely wherever they live.
