Red Frogs NZ has now released its 2024 Aotearoa New Zealand Impact Report, confirming its more than 350 volunteers are making a meaningful contribution to safeguarding a generation and reducing alcohol-related harm.

The volunteer organisation which safeguards young people in alcohol-fuelled environments, had faced the challenge of measuring its impact when success meant harm that no longer happens.

The group knew it was making a difference, national director Ray Thomson said, however its impact was hard to quantify.

One such measure was the 132 vulnerable young people actively cared for by Red Frogs In Wānaka over New Year’s Eve.

“The report provides clear, concrete evidence of the powerful impact made by more than 350 dedicated volunteers who are working tirelessly to safeguard our vulnerable young people,’’ Ray said.

“Red Frogs often operates in the grey areas of youth culture nobody wants to take responsibility for so it’s great to bring the unseen into the seen and share the some of the stories and impact of what our volunteers do.’’

Independent advisory company Pluri surveyed tertiary students, key partners and stakeholders, Red Frogs volunteers, and people who encountered the organisation during the New Year’s party period, as well as studying data, feedback and stories from the organisation's activities to inform the data.

Key findings of the report were the many volunteer hours delivered, the high percentage (96) of university and polytech student respondents who said they were likely or very likely to approach a Red Frogs volunteer if they required assistance at an event, and the observation by organisations that Red Frogs had a positive impact on the decision-making/behaviour of young people at events.

Read the full report here.

PHOTO: Supplied/Red Frogs NZ