We often think of happiness as the reward we get after everything’s sorted. But science shows that small moments of positive emotion – like joy, amusement or gratitude – help us cope better and perform better. They’re not just a result of wellbeing – they’re a tool to build it. Research shows that dialling up ...
Real Talk with Ali McCormick Parenting teens can feel like navigating a minefield, even on your best day. That’s why Path Wānaka’s Whānau Support Group is designed a little differently. It’s not a lecture or a textbook course. It’s a space for real conversations, real coaching, and real change. At the heart of it all ...
Mount Aspiring College Nicola Jacobsen joined Jack on Radio Wānaka to talk about Our Kids Online – a vital community event that took place on Thursday 11 September 2025. In this short interview, Nicola shares why it’s so important for parents, grandparents, whānau and anyone supporting young people to understand the online risks our kids ...
We all have an inner voice. Sometimes it’s helpful – motivating us through a tough day. Other times, it’s just mean. For teens, that inner critic can get loud. Under pressure, it often turns into a stream of ANTs – Automatic Negative Thoughts – like: “I’m so dumb.” “I can’t do this.” “What’s wrong with ...
Last week on More FM Queenstown, Te Kura o Tititea Mount Aspiring College Principal Nicola Jacobsen joined Joel on air to talk about the social media and online epidemic online epidemic affecting families across our region. Every day at the school gates she sees it first-hand – the challenge of raising teens in a digital ...
Every year, someone asks: “But when’s Straight Pride?” It’s a question that misses the point of what Pride means, and why it still matters, especially in Wānaka, our growing rural district. Pride isn’t a competition. It’s a celebration. It’s about visibility for those questioning or struggling with their identity. It’s about creating safety and belonging ...
Path Wānaka exists to help parents and whānau support our young people as they face adult-sized challenges and change. And right now, the biggest of those challenges is happening in the palms of their hands. Let’s face it, what our kids are facing online is beyond anything we have ever imagined. It’s horrifying. It’s terrifying. ...
Parenting teens doesn’t have to feel like survival mode. Your relationship with your teen is too important to leave to chance. What Does a ‘Good Parent’ Prioritise Every Day? (Hint: It’s not perfection.) Myth: Good parents always know what to do and never need help. In the chaos of modern parenting, work pressures, school demands, and ...
This guide offers advice for large events like after-ball parties, while also providing tips applicable to small gatherings. Key Principles: Safety and enjoyment are paramount. Alcohol concerns? Consider an alcohol-free event to keep things simple and safe. For people under 18, the safest option is not drinking at all and delaying drinking for as long ...
We all know what it’s like when a teen is stuck in a mood – and let’s be honest, we get stuck too. Teenage emotions can feel intense and unpredictable. That’s because the teenage brain is wired to feel higher highs and lower lows. They’re not being dramatic – their emotional volume really is turned ...
If you’re a caregiver or working with rangitahi in Wānaka, attending a Mental Health First Aid Course is a must! OUT & About Wānaka, in partnership with Path Wānaka | Ara Ki Wānaka and Community Link, are proud to fund and support this two-day Youth Mental Health First Aid course as part of the 2025 Wānaka Pride Week. Hosted by Path ...
Ever notice how your teen zeroes in on the one thing that went wrong, even when lots went right? Author: Kim Tay, Director – The Wellbeing Works It’s not just teenage angst – it’s a survival instinct built into all of us. Our brains are wired to focus more on what’s wrong than what’s ...
New Zealand’s Progress Toward a Smokefree Future New Zealand is making incredible progress toward its Smokefree 2025 goal. A recent government report shows just how much has changed, with smoking rates dropping significantly over the past 12 years. Since 2011/12, daily smoking rates have fallen nearly 60%, from 16.4% to just 6.9% in 2023/24. That ...
Key messages & helpful tips for caregivers It might look like harmless steam—but it’s not. Many teens think vaping is just flavoured mist, but most vapes contain nicotine—a highly addictive substance that can alter mood, focus, and brain development. Many young people don’t realise how hooked they are until they try to stop… and ...
If you’re a caregiver / parent, or working with rangitahi in Wānaka, attending this Cyber-Safety Presentation is a must! Path Wānaka Ara Ki Wānaka in collaboration with Community Links, Te Kura o Tititea Mount Aspiring College, QLDC, and Kahu Youth Trust is proud to host this hard-hitting, eye-opening and often hilarious In-person “Parent Cyber Safety Evening” ...
Navigating Parenthood in 2025 presents new challenges, and none of us feel fully prepared. Between social media, peer influence, and evolving family dynamics, parenting young people today requires a whole new skill set. At Path Wānaka | Ara ki Wānaka, we believe that parents and caregivers deserve a strong support network. That’s why we are ...
Navigating the hard conversations around supplying alcohol, and the effects it has on your teens brain, check out the following: How to talk about drinking with your child. Download the Conversation Guide Values-Based Messaging Keep Their Future Bright: Teenagers and alcohol Parental Supply of Alcohol Message Guide on the Common Cause website. A recent article ...
If you’re a caregiver or working with rangitahi in Wānaka, attending a MHFA Course is a must! Path Wānaka Ara Ki Wānaka is proud to co-host this TWO-day community course in February (18th and 25th) 2025 at Lake Wānaka Centre. Facilitated by Karyn Munro Mental Health First Aid Aotearoa, & Te Hau Toka, this course is ...
A big thank you to everyone who attended the Nathan Wallis event on the Teen Brain last week. We’ve received some positive and insightful feedback from attendees that we want to share with you all. “Very entertaining speaker, maybe a series that looked more in-depth at each stage would be helpful.” “It was a well-organised ...
If you’re a parent in Wanaka, attending Nathan Wallis’s talk on the teen brain is a must. Path Wānaka, Central Otago Reap and Community Links are delighted to bring Wallis to Wānaka. Wallis, New Zealand’s leading neuroscience educator, is known for his lively, humorous, and down-to-earth presentations on how the brain develops and what that ...
A recent article released by Te Pou (a national workforce centre for mental health, addiction and disability in New Zealand) emphasises the crucial role adults play in supporting the mental health of young people. Karyn Munro, a Youth Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) instructor, highlights the growing mental health challenges among youth, exacerbated by factors ...
