Hon Tariana Turia
Associate Minister of Health
Friday 25 March 2011

New Plymouth
Speech

Kia koutou nga uri o Taranaki maunga. Hon Harry Dunyhoven, Mayor of New Plymouth; Jonathan Young and all of the distinguished guests here today.

I was taking a look at some of the names of the Youth one-stop shops the other night.

There’s the Pulse in Whangarei; Whai Marama Youth connex in Hamilton; there’s Rotovegas in Rotorua; Youth Café in Taupo; Directions in Hastings; Evolve in Wellington; Vibe in the Hutt - and the one and only Waves of Taranaki.

These names tell a story in their own right of the dynamic, pulsating energy of youth culture. They reflect the thinking that Waves has become known for – the mission to ensure that young people are brimming with optimism; feel supported and have the confidence to take up every challenge.

It is about ensuring our taiohi are connected to their families; and importantly that our families, and our wider communities appreciate the many talents and strengths of all of our young people.

This place looks amazing – and it is such an honour to be here in your new home.

When I look at your brief history in the four years you have been operating; your achievements are legendary.

In 2007 WAVES was awarded the Youth-Endorsed Space Award; and Norman Dalton won the Youth Development Award for his outstanding contribution to Youth Health Development in New Plymouth.

In 2008 Kelly Cotter was awarded Employee of the Year for her absolute loyalty and commitment to Waves Youth Health Centre.

In 2009, a year 11 student - Cameron Betts - was highly commended as a young achiever for his role in helping to organise youth programmes at WAVES.

And just in recent weeks we have seen the incredible success of the documentary, Hiding Behind the Green Screen which took out two awards at the Documentary Edge International Film Festival 2011 for best short documentary and best up and coming director – Paora Joseph.

I want to really mihi to Paora for your courage and your commitment, to tell the story of four young men and their mentors as they seek to address the challenge of drug use – set against a backdrop of the pa at Parihaka; the beauty of our taonga puroro and the beats and rhythms of a soundtrack that speaks to youth.

And when I think about the service offered at WAVES I think that all of these awards, all of these experiences of success, demonstrate the distinctive nature of the experience one has when you walk in these doors.

There are two particular people that I want to mention for the association they have with this place.

The first is Louise Roebuck, a Nurse Practitioner in Primary Health Care and Youth Health who was instrumental in mobilising the support and the sponsorship, back in 2007, to get WAVES established. Lou fought long and hard to get WAVES established and to attract ongoing funding. She even worked for two years without pay to support WAVES. It would be fair to say that we would not be standing in this place today were it not for Lou.

And the second, of course, is the late Richard Parsons - a New Plymouth youth drug and alcohol counsellor who was passionate about surfing. His legacy will be forever remembered in the very name chosen for this service.

Waves is a wonderful concept for how we think about young people.

The rolling waves of the Taranaki ocean have a sense of permanence; they represent the character of this region. Sometimes the waves are grand and dramatic; their momentum building to a crescendo; their sweeping motion reminding us of the power of Tangaroa. Other times the waves are but a gentle ripple, a slight break in the calm stillness of the bounty of the sea.

Sometimes through life, we face enormous challenges; we can feel overwhelmed by the intensity of the moment, while at others we are content to just let another day go by. It is wonderful to know that whether storm or calm, WAVES provide a facility for our young people to have a place to come to; to know that they will be safe and supported.

There is no question that WAVES is a youth space – equipped with a video-editing suite; a sound-recording studio; a boxing ring; an art space; a kitchen for cooking lessons and an area for the children of teen parents.

The interior has been designed and created with the help of young people. It includes internet access, pool tables, fooze ball, kitchen facilities, jam sessions, art, sport and hip hop events - all which attract young people to the service.

It is important to acknowledge those who have contributed towards this youth space – Contact Energy for their sponsorship; TSB Community Trust for relocation costs; New Plymouth District Council for ongoing support and funding; and Willie Still and Jeremy Thompson for finding the facility at a low rental. It is inspiring to see communities collaborating to benefit taiohi.

Youthline have established a telephone counselling service in partnership with WAVES – with training of volunteers to start soon.

And most important of all, there are the young people who use, advocate and work for WAVES. Christa Adams on Facebook probably said it best:

“U Guyz do tha best work an hav tha best job! Big upz 4 tha youth!! tha futcha of our country! U RoCK!”

Ultimately, it is the voice of youth that provides the best endorsement of your service – and I congratulate you for the obvious impact you have made in so many ways.

Finally I mihi to all those from Parihaka Pa who have supported the opportunity to support all the rangatahi throughout this rohe. Your generosity, your manaakitanga, your tautoko is an integral factor in the ongoing success of WAVES.

I want to leave us with the words of a philosopher, Albert Schweitzer, which I found of great inspiration.

Just as the wave cannot exist for itself, but is ever a part of the heaving surface of the ocean, so must I never live my life for itself, but always in the experience which is going on around me.

That is what I wish for everyone – that you continue to work together in this wonderful facility, enabling all of our young people to be strong and well, connected to their whanau and community, and set on the path to a future full of potential.

May your joys be as deep as the ocean, your sorrows as light as its foam.

Tena tatou katoa

ENDS

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