Christchurch Schools Wellbeing Hui

Eighty rangatahi passionate about wellbeing attended the hui from Avonside Girls' High School, Christchurch Girls' High School | Te Kura o Hine Waiora, Darfield High School, Hillmorton High School, Kaiapoi High School, Rangiora High School, Rangi Ruru Girls' School, St Andrew’s College, and St Margaret's College.

Cantabrians often joke about how we ask, “What school are you from?” to make connections in our rohe. However, rangatahi see this question as a barrier to forming connections. Unhelpful school stereotypes stem from this simple question; people pass judgement on who a person is or what they can do based on preconceived ideas about the school they go to. 

To break through this barrier, the hui was a wear-your-own-clothes day. This meant groups couldn’t create cliques that exclude rangatahi from other kura. 

“You can imagine that if they'd all come in uniforms, they'd be sitting in their schools and they'd be identifiable, but without uniforms, they weren’t from a school. They were just people from Canterbury.”

Radha Vallabh, St Andrew’s College

“The whole co-designing thing with Hillmorton was really important to us. And that's why we decided that we didn't want any uniforms there either… I think to really understand other people's feelings and experiences, you have to sort of come away from the whole school idea...”

Radha Vallabh, St Andrew’s College

The hui went beyond affirming the voice of rangatahi; rangatahi initiated and led the whole event. Lachlan and Radha are quick to point out that a rangatahi-led hui isn’t about letting rangatahi fend for themselves; they need adult support and structure to make decisions. Kerry Larby from St Andrew’s College, Eleanor Sim from Hillmorton High School, and Claire Newman and Tony Green from Mahia Te Aroha supported them with different design choices to run a successful hui. 

The student leaders were encouraged to choose a theme by first understanding the values of each kura. Together they decided on Hillmorton High School’s value of turangawaewae.

The idea of turangawaewae and being inclusive of all people struck a chord with Radha. Growing up as a second-generation Indian, born in Aotearoa, Radha is representative of rangatahi acutely aware of othering. Although it can be subtle at times, othering involves making unconscious assumptions about people who may be perceived as being different. Subtle or casual racism finds its way into a lot of spaces and seemingly innocent jokes are made about cultures. 

“I think everyone there was kind of willing to share and willing to talk about turangawaewae. I think that's why it works so well. And that's why we had such good discussions because everybody there wanted to talk about it.”

Radha Vallabh, St Andrew's College

Icebreakers set the scene, creating a relaxed, safe environment. The intention was for “challenging conversations in a safe space.”

“It's hard to be vulnerable in a room of strangers and to say when I don’t feel like I belong. It's not easy.”

Radha Vallabh, St Andrew's College

After the icebreakers, the day was co-designed into two sections. First, rangatahi were inspired by speeches given by Tyla Harrison-Hunt from Mahia te Aroha; Lily Champion-Smith from St Andrew’s College, who wrote an award-winning slam poem about her experience of everyday racism; and University of Canterbury student, Sadra Sultani who shared her experience as a young Muslim woman living in Ōtautahi. 

What made this hui really successful was that after the speakers, an equal amount of time was spent on rangatahi-led conversations. They had time to reflect on the speeches and share their personal experiences. 

Lachlan and Radha acknowledge that in any event for rangatahi, it’s important to create space for conversations. In this hui, small groups discussed:

• What speech or part of a speech resonated with you? 
• When have you felt a sense of turangawaewae?
• What could be improved to foster a better sense of turangawaewae in Canterbury? 

Lachlan credits the appreciative inquiry approach to how they shaped the questions. Questions were designed to collaboratively generate positive ideas about how to improve things here in Waitaha. Although it may have felt uncomfortable, it was never unsafe. The student leaders made sure rangatahi were allowed to step out if they needed to. 

“I mean, at this point in our lives, a lot of time is spent on the question, who am I? Where do I want to be? and sometimes it's quite easy to feel separated...especially now it's important to not only bring together a relatively small group of people that care about wellbeing, and give them a sense of belonging, …but to do something like this so that they can bring that back to their communities.” 

Lachlan Odlin, St Andrew's College

There have been lasting impacts of this rangatahi-led hui. New friendships, new thinking and ideas to take back into kura, new social connections, and a desire to make a rangatahi-led hui an annual commitment.

“I think it was very effective. I think everyone had new ideas… made friends from it. It was the connections that we formed and the conversations that we had, even after the event the conversations that were produced…”

Radha Vallabh, St Andrew's College

“I think my biggest indicator is what happens afterwards…I think that was probably one of the biggest successes … the sense of belonging is something very personal and invokes deeper conversations with people.”

Lachlan Odlin, St Andrew's College

There is a real desire in Waitaha to improve things.

“​​If you do really value something and value community, you do have to acknowledge its flaws. And there are many… and not something that everyone loves to talk about. But it was nice seeing people there, acknowledging it, but still wanting it to be better.”

Lachlan Odlin, St Andrew's College

The hui was different to other events organised by a teacher or school leader because it focused on conversations and sharing the experiences of rangatahi with others. 

“We are still kids, we don’t know it all, and we need help and we need to reach out to other organisations. There is a want for student voice and a want for students to lead things.” 

Lachlan Odlin, St Andrew's College

Here there is a clear call to action; the best way to connect with rangatahi is to create an event for rangatahi led by rangatahi. 

Mahia te Aroha are now in the process of contacting schools to get rangatahi together to drive a follow-up hui. Claire and Tony believe that the broad theme of “Belonging” is such an important and powerful touchstone for conversation and it needs to be carried forward. How rangatahi shape a response to this will be up to them. 

• We (rangatahi) do have a sense of belonging here in Waitaha, but this can and should be improved. The first step is acknowledging when we do not feel a sense of turangawaewae.
• When we acknowledge a lack of turangawaewae, we can do a lot about it. 
• People care about us. 

• You are not alone.
• Although it might not give you the next big idea, reaching out to other leaders and friends is important.
• Have an honest conversation, discussions, and acknowledge the issues. Once you acknowledge something, you can do something about it. 
• A lot of student leadership is “Right, what are we going to do?” Take time, step back and consider: Where are we at? What’s wrong? and What are we trying to achieve? 
• Don’t go for the low-hanging fruit, don’t just do what you’re supposed to do. Have a deep think and look at what you can improve at your school through an inquiry approach. This has more impact than symbolic gestures. 
• Bring people together who are passionate about wellbeing. 
• You’re never going to get everything right, but it's not an excuse to not try your best.
• Make an honest, good effort; that’s enough. 
• If you want to do something, you will have the support of teachers and other organisations.
• Finding an advocate at a school is a big thing. 
• If you want to get something done, cc a teacher! It’s harder to say no!

Tony wanted to share this with us.

Mahia te Aroha works from the perspective that “a stronger you is a stronger us”! 

Mahia te Aroha (Action the Compassion) came out of witnessing the wrap-around of compassion from our region and from across the country after March 15th.

Claire and Tony had a conversation with Lianne Dalziel at City Council about their wish for a movement based on compassion, inclusive conversations and belonging. Also there on that day was Dr Te Maire Tau, the Upoko of Ngāi Tūahūriri. He listened and said, “What you are talking about is authentic belonging.” That phrase resonated with Claire and Tony powerfully.

Belonging urges conversations that invite us to know ourselves and to draw strength from listening and learning of, and from, others.

Read more about Mahia Te Aroha’s story:

Mahia te Aroha Christchurch Invitation - Our Story