Path Wānaka | Ara ki Wānaka would like to say a heartfelt thank you to everyone who supported our Safe Summer in Wānaka campaign, which ran from early December through the holiday period.

Each year, Wānaka welcomes a large influx of visitors, including many young people arriving to enjoy the New Year celebrations and summer break. Our aim was simple: to help parents and whānau have the kōrero with their rangatahi before the party scene, and to encourage safer, more respectful choices over summer.

The campaign centred on the 5 Cs, a practical framework designed to give families clear talking points:

• Be clear – set expectations early
• Be connected – keep communication open
• Be consented – understand and respect consent
• Be courageous – make safe choices even under pressure
• Be courteous – treat Wānaka as someone’s home (because it is)

Alongside this, we encouraged families to better understand New Zealand’s Alcohol Supply Law, particularly when supplying alcohol to under-18s. Many parents want to do the right thing but can feel unsure about what the law expects, so we aimed to make the information simple, clear and easy to share.

To reach families across the South Island, Path Wānaka contacted secondary school principals directly and ran a mix of initiatives including Facebook posts and advertising, local newspaper articles and print ads, posters, and fridge magnets placed throughout the community.

Wānaka Police area response manager Sergeant Darren Cranfield noted that youth gatherings along the waterfront from 27 December to 1 January were generally well behaved, and issued a special thank you to the many parents who came into town to supervise young people during the festivities, reinforcing that parent involvement makes a real difference.

Wānaka Safe Summer is a reminder that one conversation early can help prevent harm later, and that community-led prevention works best when we do it together.

Image: Stock Image.