Kaitiaki o Ara/SADD Newsletter April 2026

April Edition

Kia ora Koutou,

April showed absolutely no signs of slowing down for the SADD team. If anything, it amped up another few notches! The wait was over! Our biggest event and highlight of the year was finally here! Conference 2026!

We had an absolute blast at our SADD conferences in Dunedin and Cambridge, and the energy was off the charts! We hope our high school legends from all over Aotearoa share their experience and take the knowledge and skills they’ve gained back to their schools. We can't wait to see them empower their SADD groups to take road safety awareness to the next level!

The SADD Delivery Team have been out on the road running workshops and empowering youth to speak up about road safety, and to encourage their peers to make safe choices on our roads.

Road Safety Week is just around the corner 4th – 10th May. If you would like to get involved or would like any support to run activitie/ events, please get in touch with your PDL - we would love to hear from you.

Leadership applications close May 15th - We invite Year 12 students to apply for our National or Regional Leadership Programmes. Additionally, students from all year levels are encouraged to join SADD’s Māori Advisory Rōpū.

Ngā mihi nui,

Mel Wallace - Delivery Lead

SPEED — Why Slowing Down Matters

Speeding is one of the biggest contributors to serious crashes on New Zealand roads - and it’s often not the obvious, extreme kind. It’s the everyday moments: going a bit over the limit, trying to keep up with traffic, or rushing because you’re running late.

Why does speed matter so much?

Less time to react: the faster you’re going, the less time you have to notice and respond to what’s happening around you, whether that’s a car braking suddenly, a pedestrian stepping out, or changing road conditions.
Longer stopping distance: even small increases in speed can significantly increase how far it takes to stop. That “just a little bit over” can make a big difference.
More severe crashes: higher speeds mean greater impact. If something does go wrong, the outcome is much more serious.

Why do people speed?
Speeding often doesn’t feel risky in the moment. Common reasons include:

Running late or feeling rushed
Keeping up with other drivers
Feeling confident on familiar roads
Assuming a small increase won’t matter

But these small decisions can quickly add up, and they can have serious consequences.

What can you do?

Give yourself time: plan ahead so you’re not tempted to rush.
Stick to the limit: drive to the posted speed, not the pace of others.
Check your speed: it’s easy to drift over without noticing, especially on open roads.
Be a positive influence: if you’re a passenger and something doesn’t feel safe, speak up. If you’re driving, set the tone for your passengers.

Slowing down doesn’t mean slowing everything down, it means staying in control, making better decisions, and reducing risk for yourself and everyone around you.

Because when it comes to speed, even small choices can make a big difference.

Conference 2026!

Conference Recap: Two Events, Big Energy, Even Bigger Impact

What a few weeks it’s been. Our 2026 SADD Conferences in Dunedin and Cambridge delivered everything we hoped for and more.

Across both events, students showed up ready to get involved, challenge themselves, and make the most of the experience. From the first session through to final presentations, the energy stayed high and the focus was clear: learning, leading, and creating real impact.

Throughout the conference, students worked in teams to explore key road safety issues and turn their ideas into action. They produced a huge range of outputs - from videos and social content to practical resources and thoughtful insights. It was great to see not just what they created, but how they worked together to get there - problem-solving, backing their ideas, and stepping into leadership.

Outside of the challenge, there was plenty of time to connect and have some fun too. A highlight was our quiz night which brought a lot of laughs and some healthy competition!

We want to say a huge thank you to our partners who helped make these events possible. Whether it was supporting students with funding, helping with transport, attending presentations, or being there on the ground as facilitators, your support made a real difference.

And to the students - thank you for showing up, getting involved, and giving it your all. The effort, ideas, and attitude you brought to the conference are exactly what makes SADD what it is.

We’re excited about what comes next. There was some seriously strong thinking and creativity on display, and we’ll be sharing some of the best content and ideas over the coming months.

Watch this space!

Road Safety Week!

Coordinated by the road safety charity Brake, this national week is all about encouraging people to think differently about how we use the roads - and take simple steps to keep everyone safe. Schools, youth groups, and communities across New Zealand get involved each year, using it as a chance to share important messages and make a real impact.

So what does that mean for you?

Road Safety Week is designed to be flexible - it’s your chance to do something that works for your SADD group and your school community. It could be big or small, simple or creative. The key is getting involved and starting conversations.

Here’s where to start:

Get your SADD group together and talk about what road safety issues matter most to you
Check out the Road Safety Week website for ideas, resources, and inspiration and download the action pack
Decide on an activity or campaign you want to run during the week

Some ideas to get you thinking:

Create a short video or social media campaign
Run a lunchtime activity or awareness event at school
Design posters or messages to share with your community
Start conversations about real-life situations and safe choices

There’s no one “right” way to take part, Road Safety Week is about taking action in a way that feels real and relevant to you. It’s a chance to speak up, get creative, and be part of something happening across the whole country.

Get your group involved, make a plan, and see what you can create!

Check out the Road Safety Week Website!

Leadership Opportunities!

If you’re looking to step things up and get more involved, now’s your chance. Applications are officially open for SADD’s leadership programmes - the National Leadership Programme (NLP) and the Māori Advisory Rōpū.

The National Leadership Programme (NLP) is open to Year 12 students and is all about building your leadership skills while making a real impact. As a National Leader, you’ll work alongside other students from across Aotearoa, and contribute ideas to shape the future of SADD, engage in your own road safety project, and represent youth voice at a national level. It’s a chance to grow your confidence, develop new skills, and be part of something bigger.

If you’re passionate about making a difference and want to have a say in how road safety is approached for young people, this is a great opportunity to get involved.

Apply now to be a National Leader

Applications are also open for the Māori Advisory Rōpū, which is available to students from all year levels. This rōpū works to strengthen Māori engagement within Kaitiaki o Ara and ensure Māori perspectives are reflected in the work we do. It’s a space to contribute ideas, work collectively on meaningful projects, and help create better outcomes for rangatahi on our roads.

Apply now to be part of the Māori Advisory Rōpū

Both the National Leadership Programme and Māori Advisory Rōpū are about more than just leadership, they’re about having a voice, building skills, and contributing to safer roads across Aotearoa.

If you’re keen to challenge yourself, grow as a leader, and be part of something that makes a real difference, apply now and get involved. Applications close on May 15th 2026. For more information, contact Mark@sadd.org.nz

What a whirlwind! Following the excitement of our annual conference, we’re finally catching our breath and feeling incredibly grateful. This month, we want to send a huge thank you to:

SK, AS & HL from Auckland, VK from Whangarei, MC from Napier, JM from Upper Hutt, DS from Wellington, HW & YJ from Nelson, DA from Leithfield.

We couldn’t have done it without your generosity. Your donations have gone directly to supporting students attend the Conference. Ngā mihi nui! Thank you!

Donate

Dana Carter (Upper North Island) email or call 022 319 6101
Melanie Wallace (Central North Island) email or call 027 239 6610
Bobbi Hutchinson-Peeters (Lower North Island) email or call 021761 649
Mark McCallum-Unwin (Christchurch Area) email or call 027 451 1253
Lauren Robinson (South Island) email or call 021 624 198