Support for PWASNZ & VRU Submission and Presenting NEW Evidence
Celebrating the support to get Julia McLean to present critical NEW evidence to the select committee at Parliament. And we got the date locked in as this is about saving lives.
Julia and the Pass Wide & Slow team present to the Select Committee on Thursday 5 June 2025.
Letter in full below:
Dr Tony Parsons NZ Equine Health Association 3rd May 2025 Dear Mr Foster, I am writing to you because of your role as Chair of the Select Committee hearing the Vulnerable Road Users petition. I Chair the Ethics and Welfare Committee of the NZ Equine Health Association. The NZEHA is a representative group of the wider equine industry and community and is the communication point between Government/MPI and the equine industry. I was surprised to hear that Julia McLean had not been given the opportunity to speak directly to your committee. Julia has been the driving force behind putting this petition to Parliament and I would have thought that her background knowledge would be an important part of understanding the need for change to be made in this area. Improving road safety is important to all of us and Julia represents an area that is often overlooked. I implore you to give her the opportunity to share her knowledge and represent the many thousands who signed this petition. Yours sincerely Tony Parsons
Letter in full below:
12 May 2025 Mr. Andy Foster MP Chairperson, Transport and Infrastructure Select Committee Email: Andy.foster@parliament.govt.nz Dear Mr. Foster, RE: Vulnerable Road Users Petition – Support for Julia McLean to Address the Committee I am writing to you on behalf of New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing (NZTR), the governing body for the Thoroughbred racing industry in New Zealand. As a key part of the broader equine sector, NZTR represents the interests of thousands of riders, trainers, owners, breeders, and stable staff who work with and care for horses every day, many of whom rely on public roads for safe access between training facilities, paddocks, and stables. We were surprised to learn that Ms. Julia McLean was not provided the opportunity to speak directly to the Select Committee regarding the petition on Vulnerable Road Users. As the driving force behind the petition and a passionate advocate for equestrian road safety, Ms. McLean brings invaluable insights and experience that we believe would significantly benefit the Committee’s understanding of the risks faced daily by riders on New Zealand roads. Improving safety for vulnerable road users, particularly those within the equine community, is a matter of great concern to our industry. Horses and their riders are frequently overlooked in transport safety planning, yet they are particularly at risk due to the nature of interactions between vehicles and large, unpredictable animals. We strongly encourage the Committee to give Ms. McLean the opportunity to present her perspective and speak on behalf of the thousands of New Zealanders who signed the petition. Her contribution will provide important context and help ensure that any recommendations reflect the realities experienced by equestrians on the ground. Thank you for your consideration of this request, and for your work to enhance safety for all vulnerable road users. Sincerely, Matt Ballesty Chief Executive New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing
Letter in full below:
12 May 2025 Vulnerable Road Users Petition – Support for Julia McLean to Address the Committee I am writing to you on behalf of the New Zealand Pony Club Association (NZPCA), the national organisation supporting grassroots equestrian education, riding, and welfare across Aotearoa. Our members include thousands of young riders, volunteers, and families who regularly interact with public roads whether hacking to rallies, accessing trails, or training. We were concerned to learn that Ms. Julia McLean, who initiated the petition on Vulnerable Road Users, had not originally been given the opportunity to speak directly to the Select Committee. Julia has demonstrated longstanding commitment to the safety and welfare of equestrians on our roads, and her insights are vital to any informed discussion on this matter. Our Pony Club community knows first-hand the risks faced when horses and vehicles share road space. Riders, especially young ones are vulnerable, and yet this group is often absent from road safety planning and infrastructure considerations. Julia’s lived experience and advocacy work offer a unique and informed perspective that deserves to be heard. We respectfully urge the Committee to allow Julia to present her case and evidence. Her contribution would represent not just the signatories of the petition but the many equestrians, parents, and communities across New Zealand who are calling for safer conditions for all road users. Thank you for your consideration, and for your ongoing work to improve transport safety outcomes for all New Zealanders. Sincerely, Lizzie Turnbull Chief Executive Officer New Zealand Pony Clubs Association