Star Insure and Street Smart unite to save young lives 

New Zealand insurance provider, Star Insure, today announced a new partnership with Street Smart. The latter is a nationwide programme dedicated to empowering young drivers with crucial road safety skills. This collaboration marks a significant step for Star Insure in its commitment to fostering a culture of safer driving nationwide. 

Star Insure’s Founder and Chairman, John Baker, said “This is a deliberate and meaningful investment by Star Insure towards the safety and well-being of young Kiwi drivers.

“Personally, this resonates deeply as an opportunity to give back to New Zealand in a way that creates a lasting impact. 

“Street Smart’s proven programme aligns perfectly with our philosophy of creating tangible pathways to upskill young drivers. It also nurtures responsible road behaviour for future generations. We are deeply invested in its potential to save lives and build a safer New Zealand.” 

Echoing this commitment and vision for a safer future, Star Insure CEO, Nick Baker, elaborated on the cooperation. 

“This partnership is fuelled by a shared vision to actively reduce road fatalities by equipping young drivers with the crucial tools for safe navigation,” Baker said. 

“For us at Star Insure, this goes far beyond a traditional sponsorship; it’s about doing, not just donating. We are committed to providing a tangible pathway that upskills young drivers. It also fosters responsible road behaviour, and creates a lasting legacy of safety for generations of New Zealanders. We’re proud to actively contribute to a movement that has the potential to save lives across the country.” 

The Street-Smart programme was reinvigorated in 2024 with generous funding from the Tony Quinn Foundation. It delivers practical, hands-on driver training that goes beyond the standard learner curriculum. 

Hayden Dickason, Programme Director, welcomes Star Insure’s commitment: “Insurance is such an important consideration when owning and driving a vehicle. We are so pleased to have Star Insure join us as a partner. We are a not-for-profit charitable trust that relies on external funding to deliver the Street Smart programme. Our common goal is building our young drivers to be safer and more aware on our roads.” 

The partnership has also garnered strong support from renowned motorsport legend, Street Smart Ambassador and Street Smart Charitable Trust Chair, Greg Murphy. 

“Street Smart is all about equipping drivers with the skills and awareness to handle the many challenges they face on the road, ultimately helping reduce crash rates through better decision making. We’re proud to welcome Star Insure to the Street Smart family. They fully recognise the importance of this mission, and we’re honoured to have them join us on our journey to improve road safety, change outcomes, and save lives.” 

Star Insure’s partnership with Street Smart NZ will see them actively involved in supporting the programme’s delivery across the country. It will enable more young drivers to access vital training and education. 

This collaboration underscores Star Insure’s long-term commitment to creating safer communities and empowering the next generation of drivers.