News
SAVE Sweeps Top Awards
SAVE has won two top awards in the last month and continue to be recognised by the Nelson/Tasman community.
SAVE took out the only Nelson group award at the recent Youth Volunteer Awards held in Nelson.
Then in an even bigger announcement, SAVE took out the Supreme Overall Trustpower Community Award for Nelson Tasman.
This award entitles SAVE to:
-$1,500 cash prize
-A free trip to the national awards ceremony
-Appearing on Volunteer Power on TVNZ 6
-Huge media coverage
-A carved trophy, a glass trophy and a framed certificate
In 2009 Friends of Motueka Hospital Trust won the award for building a $12M Hospital in Motueka.
What an honour to sit amongst such amazing projects and people.
Young Leaders Conference- Mission Accomplished!
The first ever Young Leaders Conference on Violence was held at Nelson College on Friday 16th April.
Over 100 young people gathered from all corners of New Zealand representing a diverse range of groups from the Youth Sensible Sentencing Trust to Horowhenua Youth Voice right through to Taiohi Morehu and many others.
The day was inspirational and motivating for all, a true and positive representation of a new generation of young people taking the lead.
This conference would not have been possible without the support of Nga Pae o te Maramatanga, Nelson Youth Council, Tasman Youth Council, Nelson College and Barnardos Nelson.
Here are a few statistics taken from the evaluations:
-98% of participants agreed that the conference helped them better understand violence
-94% of participants felt they were now more motivated to stop violence
-97% of participants agreed that the speakers were knowledgable and experienced
-97% of all participants felt recognised as young people
This shows just how succesful this conference was and encourages us to continue this into the future
Scholarship Recipients Announced
The scholarship recipients for the SAVE Young Leaders Conference on Violence 2010 have been announced!
A huge congratulations must go to:
-Charlizza Harris (Taiohi Morehu)
-Teina Hitaua (Taiohi Morehu)
-Dayna Taramai (Taiohi Morehu)
-Fale Andrew Lesa (The Pacific Islands Advisory)
-Kelsey Wilkie (Gisborne Girls High School)
-Serene Teokotai
-Rosy Herstell
-Monique Williamson (Youth Sensible Sentencing Trust)
-Helena Lau
-Shannon Scully (Horowhenua Youth Voice)
Thanks to all those who put in applications, a total of 25 were recieved!
SAVE Concludes for 2009 but look what's in store for 2010!
After an intensive planning hui SAVE can now release their plans for 2010!
For the next six months SAVE will:
- Hold a Young Leaders Confrence on Violence- Identifying Issues and Planning Solutions
- Develop an awareness campaign to tackle youth violence
- Continue our Don't Stand for It Campaign
- Establish functioning schools groups
For the next year SAVE will also:
- Develop a video with Youth Speaking Out against violence
- Hold a huge Youth Violence Awareness Day Concert
- Run an art competition to allow young people to express themselves through the form of art
- Advertise on social networking sit Facebook
- Develop beach balls for summer
- Invest into Back of Bus advertising in Nelson/Tasman
These projects are now the responsibility of the SAVE board for 2010 who will deliver these projects to the young people of Nelson/Tasman.
SAVE also adapted a new leadership structure which included having two Treasurers and four sub-committee's in which their leaders will hold the portfolio of that area.
Meanwhile SAVE is also on the lookout for board members in 2010. Please contact Johny O'Donnell at johny@savemovement.org if you are interested in making a difference by joining the movement.
SAVE to Hold Young Leaders Conference 2010
29th November 2009
SAVE has confirmed funding to host a Young Leaders Conference on Violence- Identifying Issues and Planning Solutions.
SAVE Chairperson Johny O'Donnell said "the idea to hold a young leaders conference came about because it is important our young leaders who are the future of tomorrow hold the knowledge and understanding of all forms of violence and are equipped to deal or prevent it".
The conference which will be held in April 2010 will include leaders from Youth Councils, schools and other youth groups from around Nelson/Malborough and the West Coast with up to 10 students from around New Zealand recieving sponsored scholarships to cover thei travel to the conference.
Nga Pae o te Maramatanga plan to provide financial assistance to the event after being inspired to support the kaupapa when members Amani Waenga, Manaaki Walker and Johny O'Donnell spoke at the Unspoken Issues of Violence Symposium in Auckland.
After giving a heartfelt korero about violence and it's serious effects, participants felt inspired to make change which included one participant offering to introduce violence education into her Teachers College Cirriculum at Massey University.
SAVE plan to release the full details of this event by mid-December.
White Ribbon Day-Nelson Men Stand United
27th November 2009
The first ever White Ribbon Day in Nelson led by men has been described as a huge success.
Men from all walks of life gathered on Nelson's Church Steps to hear local ambassadors speak out against violence in our homes, schools and communities.
Ambassadors were:
-Johny O'Donnell (SAVE Chairman and National Ambassador)
-Kodee Goldsworthy (Nelson College Rugby and Maori Head Boy)
-Al Columbus (Radio Presenter)
-Pete Rainey (Nelson City Councillor)
-Kerry Marshall (Mayor of Nelson)
Amongst the crowd was also Gary O'Shea (Nelson College Headmaster), Ross Lineit (Nelson Bays Family Violence Response Coordinator Police) and so many others.
After amabssadors gave a meaningful insight into violence and encouraged others to speak out more loudly than ever. Men all stood in solidarity on the church steps bearing a White Ribbon Day banner that read "Show your against violence towards women".
The story was then spread through our media including Mainland TV and the front page of the Nelson Mail with the headling- UNITED WE STAND.
Later that day families were treated to a completely free family bbq at Tahunanui BBQ Area. The BBQ was a chance for everyone to relax and reflect on the days achievements while enjoying free food and good company.
Thousands and thousand of ribbons were handed out in Nelson alone, with over 550,000 ribbons distributed in New Zealand!
The event created a hype with media, men and our community and SAVE was absolutely proud of the effort and result of the event which saw a photo being taken that will long be viewed as the day when men banded together and made the biggest stand against violence in a long time.
Thanks so much to the tireless efforts of all our helpers and everyone who supported the event. A special thanks to all our ambassadors and Gayle Helm who made the event a huge success.Next Tuesday SAVE members will meet to discuss next years event which promises to be bigger and better than ever before!!
Johny O'Donnell Announced as National Ambassador
20th November 2009
SAVE Chairperson Johny O'Donnell is amongst sporting legends and leaders to be announced as National White Ribbon Day Ambassadors in the lead up to next Wednesday's international day of elimination of violence towards women.
Johny will travel to the White Ribbon Breakfast in Wellington where he will meet fellow ambassadors for the campaign.
More locally SAVE wil hold a White Ribbon Day Photo Shoot for all men at Nelsons Cathedral Steps from 12pm onwards next Wednesday 25th November.
Tremain Mikaere, Kodee Goldsworthy, Johny O'Donnell, Amani Waenga, Al Columbus, Pete Rainey and Kerry Marshall will all frontline this photo shoot holding the White Ribbon Day banner and speaking out against violence.
Click on the White Ribbon Day page for more info.
Hope to see you all there!
Nga Pae o Te Maramatanga Symposium Success
14th November 2009
SAVE members Johny O'Donnell, Manaaki Walker and Amani Waenga were treated to luxury at the recent Nga Pae o te Maramatanga Symposium- The Unspoken Issues of Violence Seminar in Auckland.
The students were accompanied by Childrens Advocate Gina Lyon who also attended the symposium.
SAVE held a 30 minute korero and spoke well of the background of SAVE right through to the unspoken issues of violence and a brief look into possible solutions.
Later that day members were also invited to sit on the panel alongside Heather Henare (CEO Womens Refuge), Amsteer Reedy, Karina Walters (Proffessor and Researcher America), Proffessor Boni Robertson (Indenginous Proffessor Australia), Moana Jackson and many others.
The panel were asked questions and had their views challenged by members of the audience.
The groups favourite speakers were Pita Sharples, Karina Walters, Moana Jackson, Boni Robertson and Mereana Pittman.
All members spoke at the symposium which is now being reffered to as the highlight of the SAVE movement journey so far.
Students Fed Up with Media Bashing of Youth in Nelson
17th October 2009
Students Against Violence Everywhere Nelson is fed up at the continual media bashing and slamming of young people in Nelson in light of the latest incidents occurring after Nelsons annual Mask Parade on
Friday 16 October.
The Nelson Mail reported that 200-300 young people congregated on Nelsons cathedral steps and went on to report of the nine arrests, abuse towards Police officers and alcohol fuelled fights. SAVE members were amongst those youth that gathered and feel discriminated against because all the youth that gathered were labeled as violent, drunk and abusive which is completely incorrect.
SAVE believe that the youth of Nelson have been slammed by these reports and are disappointed that only the Police were ever quoted in the article which is now making national headlines and promoting the youth of Nelson as troublesome violent alcoholics.
SAVE Chairperson Johny O’Donnell said “The Nelson Mail is correct to identify that youth of Nelson gathered after the Mask Parade but majority of those youth did not start fights and were simply in town to have a good time” he added that this was then ruined by a small minority of young people who caused fights and abused police officers leading to nine arrests.
“It disappoints us that youth are viewed in such a way, and it’s not good enough that decent un-problematic youth are being slammed by false accusations” says Johny O’Donnell “it’s almost like if you are standing on or near the Church Steps on a Friday night you are obviously trying to start a fight or cause trouble, it’s appalling youth are slammed and stereotyped for nothing”.
SAVE do not condone violence of any kind but believe that young people shouldn’t be discriminated against or profiled as violent. SAVE would also like to commend the Nelson Police and HYPE-GS (Help for Young People at Events and Gathering Spaces) who both did a great job in minimising these incidents.
Members Have Busy Day Presenting
17th October 2009
SAVE members spent Thursday 15th October speaking and presenting to groups who recieved the korero with great enthusiasm and appreciation.
The day started when Johny O'Donnell and Amani Waenga addressed the National Network of Stopping Violence Services Conference in Nelson. Speaking for over half an hour the two managed to cover the origins of SAVE, give a scary insight intoMayor of Malborough Alistair Sowman
with SAVE members Elle Marie Pittman,
Beth Falealili, Amani Waenga and
Johny O'Donnell
violence in schools and share plans and visions for 2010.
Whakatu Marae Pouwhakahaere Trevor Wilson said "they were still talking about SAVE's presentation on Friday just before the conference ended, it was very impressive"
Johny and Amani were then questioned with interest about schools violence with network members eager to hear a
youth perspective.
From left Amani Waenga,
Parekotuku Moore (Kaihatu-
NNSVS), Johny O'Donnell and
Brian Gardner (National Manager)
Then in the evening Elle Marie Pittman, Beth Falealili, Amani Waenga and Johny O'Donnell were driven to Blenheim by long time SAVE supporter Gina Lyon of Barnardos Nelson to present to an eager crowd of youth councillors, peer supporters, student leaders, community leaders and social workers at Malborough District Council Chambers.
The very well attended presentation was there to give perspective members an insight into the work SAVE does and a chance to ask questions before progressing into enthusiastic discussions about starting their own branch of SAVE movement.
SAVE White Ribbon Day Plans Launched
22nd September 2009
SAVE has just launched it's White Ribbon Day plans.
White Ribbon Day is an international movement of men standing up against violence towards women by wearing a White Ribbon you are making a personal pledge: "To never commit, condone or remain silent about violence towards women".
SAVE is organising a photo shoot on Nelson's iconic Church Steps. The photo shoot is planned to feature local icons, community leaders, authorities and just ordinary everyday people.
The event will take place midday on Wednesday 25th November 2009
SAVE is now taking registrations from organisations who are interested in being involved in the photo shoot and advertising campaign:
SAVE Spreading
18th September 2009
SAVE members are to travel to Blenheim in October to present to their youth forum, peer mediators and community organisations.
SAVE was approached by the Malborough Youth Forum who have shown enthusiasm to establish a SAVE group in Malborough.
The group will travel on Thursday 13th October for the presentation.
Leadership Review Adapted
13th September 2009
SAVE recently voted to adapt a leadership review and the proposals that came with that review.
The key points of this review were:
-The board be reduced to key positions with no general members
-More Sub-Committees be established to deal with certain aspects of SAVE business
-Leaders be elected to manage certain aspects of SAVE and lead that Sub-Committee
-A re-election be held
During the re-election a number of significant changes were made:
-Our Former Vice Chairperson Scott Miller lost the Vice Chairperson Position to Wilbur Townsend
-Amani Waenga was elected as Campaign Director
-Manaaki Walker was elected as Taiohi Maori Director
-A girls violence prevention group was set up
-The financial committee was re-elected and a leader election will be held in Octobers
Maori Members to Travel to Auckland
26th August 2009
Manaaki Walker, Amani Waenga and Johny O'Donnell will travel to Auckland in November to speak at the Symposium- Unspoken Issues Surrounding Domestic Violence Seminar being organised by Maori Centre of Research Excellence.
The group is looking forward to the opportunity to speak to the seminar audience which includes Hon. Tariana Turia Co-Leader of the Maori Party.
Hon. Maryan Street Applauds SAVE
26th August 2009
Labour List MP Maryan Street continues to tautoko SAVE with her latest letter to principals of Secondary Schools around New Zealand. Hon. Maryan Street also spoke at the SAVE launch, wrote a funding support letter, had SAVE members toured through parliament and much more.
