Challenge 2000 is a youth development, community and family social work agency. It works mainly throughout the Wellington region.

Five Porirua youths have died of suspected suicide since February and hundreds of people have turned up to several community meetings, voicing their concerns and looking for solutions that can better support young people.

The "cluster suicides" are having a significant impact on the mental health of the rangatahi (younger generation), says Steve O'Connor, Director of Challenge 2000.

"We are working with the Colleges, community members and whanau to promote positive engagement, offering services and support systems," he said.

"Our team is committed to ensuring the rangatahi of Porirua can grow and achieve their potential and contribute positively to their community."

Acknowledging the one-off support offered by Government Agency Oranga Tamariki to provide additional youth programmes, O'Connor said the funding enabled Challenge to initiate and develop a long-term response plan to research the strengths and challenges of the Porirua area.

O'Connor says Challenge identified the holidays as times of high risk for youth and he is grateful to the Capital Coast District Health Board for providing two additional workers to assist with assessments and support of those at risk.

The holiday programmes were well attended and "gave the young people an opportunity to reach out to our team and talk about where they were at and what they needed," he said.

He says Challenge's research will identify existing services and their capacity, any critical gaps and inform our recommendations for the future of Porirua.

With strong ties to the Porirua community dating back to 1988, Challenge has social workers and youth workers in four Porirua Colleges.

Where to get help:

Need to Talk? Free call or text 1737 any time to speak to a trained counsellor, for any reason.

• Lifeline: 0800 543 354 or text HELP to 4357
• Suicide Crisis Helpline: 0508 828 865 / 0508 TAUTOKO (24/7). This is a service for people who might be thinking about suicide, or those who are concerned about family or friends
• Depression Helpline: 0800 111 757 (24/7)
• Samaritans: 0800 726 666 (24/7)
• Youthline: 0800 376 633 (24/7) or free text 234 (8am-12am), or email talk@youthline.co.nz
• What's Up: online chat (7pm-10pm) or 0800 WHATSUP / 0800 9428 787 children's helpline (1pm-10pm weekdays, 3pm-10pm weekends)
• Kidsline (ages 5-18): 0800 543 754 (24/7)
• Rural Support Trust Helpline: 0800 787 254
• Healthline: 0800 611 116
• Rainbow Youth: (09) 376 4155
• If it is an emergency and you feel you or someone else is at risk, call 111

Source

• sm.org.nz
• challenge2000.org.nz
• Image: sm.org.nz

With its roots still firmly entrenched in Cannons Creek, the Wellington Region Fruit and Vege Co-Op serves about nine tonnes of fresh produce to 1400 Wellington homes each week at roughly half the cost charged in some supermarkets. Continue reading

Board of Trustees Chairman, Alan Holden, confirmed Tuesday evening, it had grated Teresa Cargo's request.

On Tuesday, CathNews reported that Mr Holden described Ms Cargo's request as "not unwelcome".

There is much comment in the media that Ms Cargo's extended leave request is as the result of reported bullying in the school.

Acknowledging there is a cultural issue in the school Mr Holden took issue with the bullying claims.

He said it is unclear whether bullying was worsening at the 500-pupil college and intermediate school.

In March, Joseph Nawl, 15, was admitted to hospital after being punched unconscious by a fellow Viard student.

A month before, Noah Coffin, 12, was attacked during a game of bullrush and suffered concussion, a bruised face and a gouged eye.

"It's not a one-dimensional thing", he said.

Mr Holden declined to comment on other aspects of Ms Cargo's performance the board was unhappy with.

"That's an employment matter", he said.

Ms Cargo came to Bishop Viard College in the fourth term of 2011.

The then Board Chairperson, Marian Blackford welcomed the appointment saying that Ms Cargo had demonstrated leadership experience at the highest levels in Catholic education.

"After a thorough appointment process, it is clear that Teresa's skills and experience meet the current needs of our community.

"Teresa's experience in educational leadership, in leading and coaching young sports men and women and her commitment to Special Character and Pastoral Care convinced the Board that Teresa, through her leadership, will make a significant contribution to our College and students' lives," Ms Blackford wrote.

Deputy, Steven Knipping would step into the principal's position while the board worked through the next steps.

Sources

• CathNews
• TVNZ
• DomPost (Paper edition)
• Image: Livebeyond

The man making the proposal, Ueli Sasagi, says that with 26 per cent of Porirua's community made up of Pacific people, it was the ideal place for the proposed village.

Ueli, a resource management planner, has proposed the "Pacific on Show" village to Porirua City Council, which is this week taking submissions on its 10-year plan.

It would be strongly rooted in the area's cultural heritage, rather than being a "Hollywood show", said Ueli.

Source

• DomPost
• Image: About.com