Soul Yoga

This project came about when personal trainer, Daniel Parker, from CART Achievement Gym linked together Maggie’s yoga experience with individual’s needs. Dan approached Maggie in November of 2013 to begin discussing a yoga programme for a group of males who train at the Achievement Gym three days a week. They arranged to run a yoga programme on Friday’s from 13:00 to 14:00 on CART’s premises.

This project relates specifically to CAYAD outcomes by building healthy relationships with individuals who most influence youth, including parents and gang members. The idea is that the individuals who participate in yoga- including at-risk males, females, parents, learn calming strategies, relaxing techniques, reduce the use of substances, and increased motivation- and carry these messages and demeanour back to the youth that they influence. This activity works directly with the Nga Mokai population.

Touch of Class

The project goal is to run a successful sport and recreation initiative using Touch Rugby as the medium to reduce alcohol and drug use and promote healthy choices. This goal will be reached by the following objectives:

1. Gaining commitment from twelve rangatahi and two to three adult mentors
2. Providing skills and knowledge for Summer Touch Rugby season
3. Providing education sessions covering health and well-being, alcohol and drug education, nutrition, etc.
4. Healthy choices messaging from coaches/mentors throughout trainings and weekly games

Tuakana Teina Water Safety Programme

Wellington City CAYAD in collaboration with CART (Consultancy Advocacy & Research Trust), Hutt Valley CAYAD, Wellington Police, Wellington Regional Aquatic Centre, Maori community leaders, New Zealand Institute of Sports, Victoria University, Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa have successfully delivered six, six day water safety programmes since the pilot project in April 2013. The programmes engaged between 16 and 22 rangatahi whom were referred by Police Youth Aid, CART, and other youth agencies and groups.

The objectives of the programme include:

1. Build 'Water safety' confidence in a controlled and safe environment
2. Introduce wellbeing (fitness, self-esteem, discipline, alcohol and other drug education)
3. Introduce Maori Tikanga (custom and customary collection of Kaimoana)
4. Build youth awareness to Ministry of Primary Industries rules (Fishery legislation)
5. Whanau support youth mentor ship and support to their Whanau (Hunter and gatherer)
6. Provide an alternative to prevent youth offending
7. ** 50+ photos and videos available

The Schools Project – RC Nu’u Manuia

Wellington City CAYAD (CART) was approached by a school to discuss a recent spike in drug & alcohol related incidents. The school has experienced an alarming number of students appearing before the Board of Trustees. A comment was made that the number of students that have been suspended and/or excluded in 2013 exceeds the total number over the past five years combined. A number of the incidents seem to have been a direct result of using Synthetic Cannabinoids (‘Legal highs’). CAYAD is working closely with the school to develop a tuakana teina mentoring programme.

Art for Change

Wellington City CAYAD is building off of the successful mural project based around Maori legend, “Taniwha Te Whanganui A Tara”, which was unveiled to the public on the 17th of December 2012. The second mural project was completed on 16th July, 2014 with the final unveiling at the proposed Hataitai site, September end. Both mural projects aim to increase local capacity to support young people in education, employment and recreation. Similar projects hope to combat graffiti and boredom with at-risk youth.