CAYAD CASE STUDIES
Read the latest stories from CAYAD sites here or download the booklet
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.
Supporting the Pasifika youth workforce
At the brink of COVID, the Department of Internal Affairs had funded a piece of work led by Ara Taiohi to look at how we could better support Pacific youth workers/practitioners in the youth work field. Ara Taiohi had contracted Cross-Polynate - an independent consultancy and the first wave of engagement saw Daisy Lavea-Timo coordinate, facilitate and lead talanoa with Pacific youth workers all throughout the motu.
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.