Rotorua wānanga 'first step' in campaign for a P-free Te Arawa

Kevin Hollingsworth and Te Pae Akurangi-Fitzell are leading a series of wānanga to fight for a P-free Te Arawa. Photo / Stephen Parker

A group campaigning to make Te Arawa P-free is hosting a series of wānanga in marae across Rotorua to inform people about the risks and effects of methamphetamine.

The campaign is a collaboration by Te Runanga o Ngāti Pikiao Trust, Te Utuhina Manaakitanga and Rotorua police with guidance and support from Te Pukenga koeke o Te Arawa.

Kevin Hollingsworth, a former meth user who now works as an alcohol and drug clinician at Te Utuhina Manaakitanga, is leading the wānanga.

"We started this series by speaking to health professionals.

"It was developed so people were aware of what meth looks like, what chemicals are involved in making it and what support is available."

Hollingsworth said the response they had received so far had been really good.

"This is just the first step of a long mission, but we can do it."

The programme has been called Tu Taua and Hollingsworth said it was Te Arawa's stand against meth.

He has been clean from the drug for seven years, and began working with other users on their road to recovery.

"There are kaumātua who are worried about their mokopuna, rangatahi worried about their friends," he said.

"Healing isn't something that happens in people, it's something that can only happen between people."

Te Pae Akurangi-Fitzell, from Te Runanga o Ngāti Pikiao, said the series of wānanga was about putting the issue back to Te Arawa and asking them where to next.

"Kevin really brings something special to these hui, through the presentation and his own experience.

"There is always hope for people and that is what he has shown our whānau and our people."

Akurangi-Fitzell said they had opened the invitation to attend to all people, from rangatahi to kaumātua.

"We are hearing from our young people that it has become easier to get meth than it is to get cannabis, they have said they could even buy it at school.

She said they knew they didn't have all the answers.

"We aren't saying we know everything, just that we really need our hapu, our iwi, our whānau to get involved in this challenge."

• The first wānanga is being held tomorrow nightfrom 6pm to 8.30pm at Ruamata Marae, and the second is next Thursday from 6pm to 8.30pm at Punamunui Marae. Marae, community centres or other organisations that would like to host the wānanga can contact Akurangi-Fitzell at tfitzell@pikiaorunanga.org.nz.