The newly energised Wānaka Alcohol Group (WAG) has a new chair and a goal to extend its remit to address the “adult-sized problems” faced by young people in the Upper Clutha.

Former Queenstown Lakes District (QLDC) councillor Niamh Shaw has stepped into the chair’s role after WAG coordinator Bronwyn Coers stepped down in October 2021.

“I’ve met a lot of people over the last three years, and I keep hearing the same concerns,” Niamh said.

Those concerns include access to and use of technology, devices and mobiles among teens at Mount Aspiring College Te Kura o Tititea (MAC); vaping; bullying; healthy relationships and consent; mental wellbeing; and online porn, she said.

Niamh Shaw PHOTO: Wānaka App

WAG is kicking off its mission to broaden its remit from alcohol in the community to these “adult sized problems” with a public meeting next month.

The group’s new purpose is “helping our community understand potentially harmful substances and activities which impact on young people’s lives and whānau through education, research, advocacy, collaborative dialogue and supporting positive initiatives".

The meeting (LET'S CHAT: Sex, drugs and social media on Thursday November 10) will give WAG the opportunity to outline its purpose to the community, and seek feedback on whether people support the work; what concerns they have; and what support they need, Niamh said.

“We want to hear people’s stories,” she said.

“During Covid, parents were not allowed on the school campuses, and it stripped away a layer of connectivity for people. We want to facilitate a discussion amongst parents and caregivers – or anyone who works with young people and cares about their wellbeing.

“I sometimes feel like in this community there is a perception that because we choose to live in this beautiful place, we are not subject to the same sort of social challenges other places are. So it’s all swept under the carpet – which can make it trickier to address.”

Niamh said the group is “not a social service agency; we’re here to support agencies and improve connectivity within the community”.

“It starts with us as parents. I have a primary degree in computing, and I find it hard to monitor what my children are doing online. It’s huge and scary for us as parents, so imagine what it’s like as a teenager heading into that landscape.”

Surveys conducted by WAG in previous years show parents of young people have expressed concern around the issues of alcohol consumption, sexual risk taking and pornography. 

Read more: Youth drug habits under the microscope in new report

In June last year WAG invited Rob and Zareen Sheikh-Cope to talk about the risks young people are facing online, from pornography to predators and social media access.

Read more: The dangers of kids online

The Sheik-Copes said children are learning about sex from porn, something WAG guest and public speaker Richie Hardcore talked about in Wānaka the previous year.

Read more: WAG goes ‘Hardcore’

Richie said New Zealand has a culture embedded with unhealthy ideas and beliefs around the awkward topics of drug and alcohol abuse, sexual consent and mental health.

Richie Hardcore PHOTO: Supplied

WAG was established in 2013 as a collaboration of Upper Clutha community stakeholders who wanted to ensure an ongoing conversation about alcohol and drug behaviour, particularly relating to youth in the community. 

Its members include representatives of Queenstown Lakes District Council, Mount Aspiring College Te Kura o Tititea (MAC), Kahu Youth Trust, Community Networks, the police, and Students Against Drink Driving (SADD).

The WAG meeting will take place at 7pm on Thursday November 10 at the Wānaka Community Hub.