SEPTEMBER EDITION

What's new this month

We're zooming through the year and are just about at the three-quarter point. This month isn’t just any ordinary month though - it’s September!

A very special month for all involved with Kaitiaki o Ara, we demonstrate just how important youth participation is as the lifeblood of our own campaign - SAFER September. Scroll down for a short catch-up and thank-you to those who got involved and sent their photos and stories our way. Details are still coming in and we also appreciate that phones are not as on-hand these days to capture those golden moments! Big thanks to those who did so!

The Delivery Team were out in full force, engaging and facilitating SAFER September as well as other opportunities that presented themselves. We’ve provided a brief glimpse into their month too including the Waimate High SADD rōpū version of a classic SADD video.

September is a little cramped these days as it’s also Te Wiki o te Reo Māori and Motorcycle Awareness Month. Keep reading for a rundown on how the Kaitiaki o Ara team embraced the former and how Regional Leader Deklin got behind the latter.

Scroll, click and enjoy!

- Roger - Engagement and Communications Lead, Kaitiaki o Ara/SADD

Monthly theme:
Youth Participation

Empowering youth to take an active role in road safety education is key to building safer communities. When young people lead conversations, they not only inspire their peers to make responsible decisions, but also create a culture of accountability and change.

Their voices, experiences, and leadership are vital in shaping a future where safer roads are the norm for everyone. Speak up to inspire change!

SAFER September - taking another step to a safer future

As SAFER September comes to a close, we reflect on a month dedicated to empowering youth to lead the charge on road safety. Through workshops, in-school activities and conversations, young people across the motu have embraced the challenge of making our roads safer for everyone.

The enthusiasm and effort from young leaders we've seen this month demonstrates the power of youth leadership in shaping a safer future - but our work doesn't end here!

Let's continue the momentum by carrying these conversations forward, advocating for safer roads and ensuring that the messages from SAFER September stay with us as we enter the summer months of road trips, festivals and Christmas parties!

Thank you to everyone who participated and supported this important campaign. Together, we can keep making a difference!

Busy Times, Great Outcomes: A successful September!

The Kaitiaki o Ara delivery team is thrilled to have wrapped up another successful and rewarding month!

This time of year is incredibly busy for our ākonga juggling mock exams, tournament week, SAFER September initiatives, and other commitments. Delivery Lead Bobbi has been collaborating with Porirua City Council’s road safety team to lock in a date for the Porirua regional workshop in Term 1, 2025!

Don’t miss the Waimate High SADD rōpū rendition of our “Dear Grownups” video, a message they felt was crucial for their hapori to hear this SAFER September. Watch their version here:

Waimate High SADD - Dear grownups

and you can also view the original here:

Dear Grownups

Motorcycle Awareness Month

This month is not only SAFER September, it is also Motorcycle Awareness Month!

Deklin Frew-Parks (Regional Leader and St Bernard's College SADD group leader) contributed to the Motorcycle Awareness campaign in an awesome way by helping to facilitate at the Rongotai College Motorcycle and Moped Safety Workshop - in collaboration with Wellington City Council, NZ Police, The Motorcycle Collective and ACC.

Check out the blog post below to read more about Deklin's contribution to this fantastic event and have a go at his safety quiz!

Regional Leader leads the way — Students Against Dangerous Driving

Hari wiki o te reo māori e te whānau!

Behind the scenes the Kaitiaki o Ara team have been learning karakia, basic tikanga as well as te reo māori for over a year now. Bobbi has personally, been on a reo māori journey for 4 years and has been teaching the team using Te Ataarangi method.

Te Ataarangi is a subconscious method of learning which relies on repetition of kupu and kōrero using these different coloured rods (pictured). It is very out of the comfort zone for the team and she is extremely proud of them showing up and giving it a go!

Check out this link below to find out where you can learn te reo māori too!

https://www.reomaori.co.nz/courses

Hei konā mai me ngā mihi.

Big thanks to the wonderful people below who have made generous donations to Kaitiaki o Ara this month.

TC from Auckland, LWV Palmerston North, CTH and BM from Lower Hutt, OW from Wellington and CS from Taranaki.

Thank you for your donation. Every dollar of every donation goes directly to student support and resources across Aotearoa. Stay safe!

Kerry Campbell (Upper North Island) email or call 022 319 6101
Renee Leabourn (Central North Island) email or call 027 239 6610
Bobbi Hutchinson (Lower North Island) email or call 021 761 649
Mark McCallum-Unwin (Lower South Island) email or call 027 451 1253