Healthier Spaces, Happier Faces
In Kawakawa, a small town in the Far North, the community is finding ways to support its rangatahi despite limited resources.
“As someone who grew up in the community, my family have always been big community people. My mum, my grandparents, they’ve always done things for others. So when I saw this mahi with rangatahi, I thought, how can I help? And I knew this was it, ”said CAYAD coordinator, Tyissa Hape.
Mana rangatahi - civic participation
In Matamata-Piako, Morrinsville, a local Council initiative is changing how young people take part in decision-making.
What started as a small effort to include rangatahi in the district’s bylaw and community policy review has become a meaningful way for them to speak up about the issues that affect their everyday lives.
One Community’s Stand Against Alcohol Harm
In the Eastern Bay of Plenty, CAYAD coordinator, Jason Newton from Te Tohu o Te Ora o Ngāti Awa, is helping his community heal from the long shadow of alcohol harm by building strong relationships founded on trust and connection.
Originally from the Western Bay, he sees both regions grappling with the same issues, drug and alcohol misuse, mental health struggles, and youth disconnection, but says the Eastern Bay is particularly under-resourced.
ALCOHOL FREE SPACES FOR COLLECTIVE WELLBEING
In Ōpōtiki, a new generation is stepping up to challenge alcohol harm and strengthen their community, building a future shaped by pride, connection, and collective wellbeing.
Te Ataahua Kingi (Missy), CAYAD coordinator from Whakaatu Whanaunga Trust’s journey began with a local campaign to oppose new liquor outlets and reintroduce liquor ban signage in Ōpōtiki.
Nga Tai o te Awa - cayad wanganui
The call was sent out from Peter Kaua, Principal, Whanganui City College so Nga Tai O te Awa came together to collectively support them with immediate support that we then could extend and develop a relationship with teachers and students around the AOD space.
From Boredom to Belonging: Morrinsville Youth Secure a Building for a Long-Awaited Hub
Despite its “cream of the country” reputation, Morrinsville hasn’t always felt that way for its rangatahi. In 2004, when CAYAD (Community Action on Youth and Drugs) was first established in Morrinsville, youth boredom was reaching crisis levels. This led to increased truancy, school exclusions, and risky behaviours, particularly involving alcohol and drugs, which were on the rise. Young people said the problem was clear: there was nothing to do and nowhere to go.
AoD awareness for former refugee communities in Aotearoa New Zealand
The experience of settlement in a new country is a moment of change and resilience. Many refugees arrive here with little or no knowledge about the country that welcomed them. Young people from refugee backgrounds face enormous challenges in the settlement process in Aotearoa New Zealand. They must locate themselves in a new social and cultural space, but also try to find security in the spaces of their own families and ethnic communities. These challenges can increase the risk of alcohol and other drug use.
Youth Vaping
All young people deserve to grow up in safe environments that are not saturated with the presence of harmful substances, such as alcohol, tobacco and vape products. There is growing concern by whānau, schools and community organisations in Tāmaki Makaurau around the current number of vape outlets and the significant increase in youth vaping. Data from the Ministry of Education shows that 1221 primary and secondary school students were stood down for vaping or smoking in 2023 compared to 327 in 2020.
Pou Pasifika - Championing Pasifika Youth Development Workers and Practitioners across Aotearoa
Pou Pasifika is a national initiative that celebrates and uplifts Pasifika youth development workers and practitioners across Aotearoa. It represents a collective identity rooted in cultural strength, intergenerational wisdom and a shared commitment to supporting rangatahi by growing and sustaining a thriving Pacific youth development workforce.
The Front Door: Supporting Youth Homelessness Initiatives
The Front Door is an open space for rangatahi who are at risk of, or currently experiencing homelessness – or just in need of advice and support along the way. The space is run by charitable organisation, Kick Back Make Change with the goal of ensuring rangatahi can immediately access supports and services all in one place, including support to find housing. The Front Door has a full time youth worker and other partners, such as CADS and YouthLaw, popping into the space to provide support and services to young people that come through their doors.
The Joyful Movement: Transforming the relationship between movement and Transgender and Non-Binary Communities
Movement, exercise, and sport are all important protective factors that connect young people to their peers and increase their confidence and self-esteem. The earlier in life we can establish a relationship with movement and incorporate it into our daily life, the more likely we are to maintain it as we get older. There are lots of cool examples internationally of how movement has been used as both a prevention and treatment strategy for reducing drug and alcohol harm.
Click here to see the report
Growing Up Queer Workshop Series
In February 2024, CAYAD ran a series of three workshops as part of Pride Month in Tāmaki Makaurau focused on providing spaces for queer rangatahi to discuss and learn about topics that will support their transition out of secondary school.
CHOP THE LIQUOR SHOP - MURUPARA
An application for a new bottle store threatened to undo reductions in alcohol harm achieved in Murupara. After a petition from 400-plus community members, a march and agency objections, the application was withdrawn. Residents felt unified and inspired by taking action, and are now seeking a district-wide cap on off-licences at one per small town.
“Community action…has the potential to contribute to wider positive health outcomes, through increasing social capital and capacity within the community to tackle further health concerns”
-April O’Brien, local parent
HOPE NAVIGATORS - TĀMAKI MAKAURAU
The Pride Project in Clendon needed a sustainable way to address drivers of substance use, and to help people who did not know about or were hesitant to visit local services. Hope Navigators were the answer.
“Prior to coming on board with us she was with a few other organisations that really let her down. First and foremost, I had to secure her trust in me … she had been brushed off by so many people that she has turned to alcohol and drugs to make herself feel better.” –Valentine, Hope Navigator.
haeata COMMUNITY CAMPUS - ŌTAUTAHI
Haeata College needed a way to manage alcohol and other drug problems that would suit its students and community. Students and staff co-designed a new procedure with CAYAD’s help.
The project built student leadership and led to fewer repeat problems with AOD, fewer stand-downs, greater whānau trust in the school and further collaborative work on harm prevention.
“It’s one of the strongest processes we have… mana enhancing… non-shaming… relationship focused.”
-Rebecca Wilson, Haeata College.
Hokianga says no to new bottle store
A new bottle store was proposed for an unsuitable site in Omapere, but noone in the community knew about it. Community champions started a petition and CAYAD let people know the right way to have their say. After more than 300 objections were lodged the applicant pulled out.
“It’s about caring about our people, our haukainga and their wellbeing, I am certain that the result will help reduce social harm. If it wasn’t for CAYAD’s genuine care and support the petition wouldn’t have gone ahead.”
-Mereana Watene, local resident.
Edith’s story
“Everyone has their own rock bottom,” says Edith Moore. She should know. Edith has a Master’s degree in health psychology and used to lecture at the University of Auckland’s faculty of medicine. These days she works for DRIVE, an organisation that helps people in the Counties Manukau area who experience addictions or mental health distress…
