Kaitiaki o Ara/SADD Newsletter November/December 2024

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER EDITION

Wrapping up 2024!

As 2024 draws to a close, Kaitiaki o Ara/SADD reflects on a year marked by significant achievements and ongoing challenges in road safety across New Zealand. Sadly, youth are overrepresented in road trauma. We have witnessed many changes in the road safety promotion space this year, decreased funding, limited resources and reduced focus on road safety in schools. Now more than ever we need to be standing up and educating our communities about making safer choices on our roads. We remain committed to empowering rangatahi/youth to lead positive change.

I am so proud of all the activities that our amazing young people do to promote road safety in their communities. It is not an easy conversation to have but we are determined to change the culture around the unsafe behaviours on our roads.

Some key achievements for this year are:
- Continued community engagement
- New schools and partners supporting SADD
- SADD Conference
- Leadership programme and their awesome projects
- Road Safety week
- Fantastic youth-led initiatives and activities in schools
- Growing the Community Road Safety Programme
- The SADD team hui

Looking forward to 2025:
- SADD turning 40
- Empowering more youth to be youth agents for change
- Enhancing community collaborations
- Promoting lifelong safe choices on our roads

Thank you to all our participants, partners, funders and supporters for continuing to promote our mahi and work towards creating a positive road safety culture.

Donna - General Manager, Kaitiaki o Ara/SADD

Monthly theme:
Stay Alert, Drive Safe

As we head into the summer holiday season there’s no better time to remind you to stay focused and keep your eyes on the road. Being alert is key to keeping yourself and others safe. Avoid distractions like texting or checking your phone - it only takes a second for things to change. Keep a safe following distance so you have time to react if something happens ahead. Lastly, if you’re feeling tired, take a break. Your journey, your responsibility - let’s make it a safe one.

Summer Campaign

Our summer campaign is kicking off with some epic messages of safety about to hit your social feeds! Throughout December and January, we will be sharing useful tips, key safety messages and inspirational thoughts from a range of awesome people, all to help keep everyone safe on the road this summer. Make sure you are following our channels (@saddnz) to get your dose of summer safety vibes!

If you would like to take part in the campaign then we would love to have you involved! Check out sadd.org.nz/summer-campaign for all the info.

Safety is the reason, all summer season!

Get involved in the Summer Campaign

Taking the Wheel: Georgie’s Incredible DRIVE Pilot!

Getting behind the wheel has never been easier with the DRIVE programme! Over five incredible weeks, Georgie was determined to guide her peers through engaging sessions that helped them gear up for their learner’s licences. With facilitation support from Toni and Kerry, this pilot programme didn’t just teach the rules of the road - it gave students confidence and a clear pathway to success.

Curious to know more about how Georgie made this happen? Check out the blog, where we sit down with her to chat about the highlights, challenges, and impact of this inspiring initiative.

Read about the DRIVE Pilot

A Little Note From The Programme Delivery Team

Tēna koutou!

2024 is almost over, bring on 2025 but before we do we’d like to acknowledge and celebrate our journey together. A special haere rā to our Central North Island PDL Renee! Thank you for everything you’ve contributed throughout your time with us you will be missed. A warm nau mai to our newest South Island PDL Lauren, who has already made a fantastic start with the team.

Some of the many highlights this year included:
✨ Wellington’s moped and motorcycle collaboration day
✨ The road safety loop walk
✨ South Canterbury SADD hui and awards night
✨ NLP huis, SADD Conference x3 , and Road Safety Week

A huge thank you to our incredible Kaitiaki o Ara/SADD groups—you’ve brought creativity and passion to promoting road safety in your communities.

Looking ahead to 2025, we are turning 40! 🎉🎉🎉 Watch out for some 40th birthday celebrations. We’re super excited about Conference as always, Term 1 workshops, and getting back out on the road hanging out with some awesome rangatahi!

Our role is to help rangatahi succeed, so please stay in contact- we would love to hear from you! 😊

Wishing you a safe, happy, and relaxing summer. Keep an eye out for our summer campaign for tips and tricks to stay safe on the roads.

Ngā mihi nui,
The Kaitiaki o Ara/SADD Delivery Team

Save the Date for Conference 2025!

The most anticipated event every year is back in April 2025, with 2 events booked for Christchurch and Cambridge!

2025 is our 40th year so expect flashbacks, celebration, and all things youth voice. Mark your calendars - trust us, you don’t want to miss this one!

Keep an eye on our website for more info.

Christchurch (St Andrew's College) - 13th - 15th April
Cambridge (St Peter’s College) - 22nd - 24th April

We’ve reached the end of another amazing year and have been stunned by the generosity of everyone who chose to donate to SADD. Your contributions are an investment in student resources and opportunities in 2025!

We want to say thank you to:
GE from Kerikeri, ST & CK from Auckland, HR from Hamilton, EH from New Plymouth, HK from Waikato, WC from Manawatū-Whanganui, TP from Porirua, TK & IH from Wellington, CO from Christchurch, GM & DC from Canterbury and DA from Queenstown.

As ever, we wish you safe travels (especially this time of year)!

Ka kite anō