The SADD group at ASHS has been successful in producing many young leaders and young adults who have the skills necessary to navigate the transition from education to the workforce or further education. The environment at ASHS has been ideal for growing the group and maintaining the passion through a student-led initiative. This report seeks to explore the timeline of SADD at ASHS and conclude with the learning outcomes, experiences and opportunities that it provided for ourselves and our peers.

East Waikato Road Safety were planning to replace their old and tired cross-branded signs with brighter, more contemporary ones. They proposed we were included in the design process and we asked if they wanted to be the first partner to place the new Kaitiaki o Ara name and logo on school signs.

Our positive relationship led to this collaboration opportunity so we decided to not just focus on the outcome, but also on how we worked together and what the skills and strengths were that each side brought to the table.

Tayla Hill was a Kaitiaki o Ara/SADD National Leader from 2021 - 22, Deputy Youth Representative 2023 and Youth Representative 2024. In 2022 an opportunity came about that brought her National Leader challenge of delivering a project together with an invitation from NZIDE.

This case-study captures how Tayla’s own development converged with the opportunity of not just talking to NZIDE but, in the end, presenting at 2 of their annual conferences and bringing about a relationship that inserted a youth voice into what is a proportionately adult forum.

At least once a year, a student group who are delivering a YES (Young Enterprise Scheme) road safety themed project either come to us directly or come to our attention. Most of the time we can help them pursue their goal and we provide a light-handed, but experience driven approach to assisting them in the practicalities of the project.

This includes helping with hitting their targets along a realistic timeline , sector knowledge and introductions, as well as sign-posting to potential funding streams. Grace and Lauren were year 13 students at St Oran’s College in Lower Hutt. This is an example of how we work with YES students who have never been involved with SADD before.

In 2022 the Holly Hullena (Wairarapa Road Safety Coordinator) brought an idea to fruition that she had floated some time earlier. That was to host a Youth Symposium for Wairarapa young people. The day long symposium would include road safety.

The idea was that the symposium would be youth lead with a strong steering from a youth perspective. Holly would take care of the operational side of things. What was needed was a young person who would be at the sharp end of things to help deliver the day. Enter then Kaitiaki o Ara National Leader Jeremy Leveridge. This case-study documents his approach and learning from taking on responsibility for delivery, participation and record keeping.

The presence of young people on the North Otago AA District Council was something Kaitiaki o Ara was always going to be interested in. Factor in that they managed their own succession and their presence has continued for consecutive years - it became obvious that a closer look at how this came about would be a good idea.

The study commenced early in 2024 and would focus on the experience of two key young representatives ranging from 2021 to mid 2024. The main subject would be “succession” but they would also invite comment and opinion on what worked well and perhaps not so well. There are lessons for all but there are many plus points that could be the catalyst for others to replicate.