Path Wānaka Ara Ki Wānaka in collaboration with Te Kura o Tititea Mount Aspiring College, and Kāhu Youth Trust is proud to host this presentation by researcher Dr Kris Taylor.

Dr Kris Taylor will provide a crash course for parents and those working with youth to understand the worldviews and ideologies young men are exposed to online, how masculinity influencers (e.g. Andrew Tate, Jordan Peterson, Sneako, Fresh and Fit and others in the ‘manosphere’) can affect young people, and key strategies to successfully engage in discussions with youth on this topic. If you’ve ever wondered how to discuss gender norms, sexism, harassment, misogyny, or pornography with a young person without alienating them, this evening is for you.

Kris has worked with young people, educators, and parents across the country to create a shared language and understanding about how young people are navigating the online world. If you parent or work with young people, you need to understand how online influencers and communities are influencing young men and boys with messages around gendered roles and behaviour, and the impact this is having on all young people. Kris will share tried and tested strategies to help you engage with your young person on these topics.

Who Should Attend

Dr Taylor will also be facilitating staff training at Te Kura o Tititea Mount Aspiring College, followed by a half-day workshop for Kāhu Youth Trust youth workers and those in the community working with young people. If you would like to find out more about this training workshop, please contact Anna Sutherland at Kahu Youth Trust here.

Parenting teens in today’s world can feel like a whole new job, and it’s easy to wonder if you’re doing it ‘right’. This supportive group offers a calm, judgement-free space to connect with other parents and caregivers, share experiences, and pick up practical tools you can use straight away at home. Led by professional parent coach Ali McCormick (20+ years’ experience), sessions focus on strengthening whānau relationships, setting healthy boundaries, managing big emotions (yours and theirs), and supporting young people to make safer, more independent choices.

At Path Wānaka | Ara ki Wānaka, we believe that parents and caregivers deserve a strong support network. That’s why we are continuing a FREE Group Coaching programme for Parents during term time—designed to be a welcoming, community-driven space to help you and your whānau thrive!

What parents are saying about Parent Whānau Coaching with Ali

“I love how the sessions allow parents to guide the content of the workshop”.  

“I can be more confident in my parenting decisions and feel like I am doing better than I

thought I was”.

Term 3, 2026:  Group Coaching 

4x 90 minute sessions in Term 3, that are FREE for parents, with flexible scheduling to suit the individual groups. Private one-on-one sessions with Ali are also available (fees apply).

Groups will be a mix of FREE face-to-face and online coaching sessions each term designed to educate and empower parents seeking support, strategies, and community connection.

Register for Term 3, 2026: [here]

What is it?

In term time, we bring together a small group of parents in a safe, supportive, and confidential space to explore solutions for modern parenting challenges. Led by Ali McCormick – Executive Coach | Leadership Educator, specialising in positive psychology, communication, and teaching.  These sessions are free for whānau, and focus on creating actionable steps to strengthen family relationships and improve home life.

Why Come Along?

  Feeling unprepared and overwhelmed by your teen’s challenges and change? You’re not alone!

  Need a safe space? Share experiences, get support, and gain confidence.

  Looking for connection? Meet parents navigating the same parenting struggles and uncertainties.

  Want practical tools? Learn strategies to support your teen’s growth and independence.

If any of these resonate with you, PATH Wānaka’s Whānau Support Group (Group Coaching for Caregivers) is here to help

What You Can Expect

A mix of FREE face-to-face and online coaching sessions each term designed to educate and empower parents seeking support, strategies, and community connection.

Confident Parenting in a Supportive Space
Come along & move forward with confidence in a safe, confidential, and non-judgmental group where parents can learn, share, and grow together.

Future-Focused & Collaborative
This group isn’t about past struggles—it’s about practical solutions, tailored discussions, and shared genuine support from fellow parents.

Get support in Navigating Modern Parenting
Address challenges unique to 2026, from social media to peer influence.
Step into your role as the most influential figure in your child’s life.
Set boundaries, manage emotions, and have meaningful conversations.

Exploring solutions that work for you and your family
Gaining confidence in your parenting abilities
Collaborating with a coach and other parents
Strengthening your influence as a parent / caregiver
Learning how to step back, set boundaries, and communicate effectively

Whānau Support Group 2026

Learn about Ali’s experience and her mission for this group.
Understand how coaching works—what it is (and what it isn’t).
Discover why group coaching is an effective support structure for parents.
Gain insight into how to get the most out of these sessions.
Share your thoughts and help us shape the programme to suit your needs.

Meet Your Coach:  Ali McCormick 

Ali is a qualified speech-language therapist, teacher, positive psychology practitioner, and leadership coach. Ali has over 30 years, experience in supporting parents and young people’s every-day and complex needs. She brings a wealth of expertise, delivering client-centred coaching that focuses on real-world application.

Watch: A Zoom recording of an introduction to Group Coaching by Ali [HERE]

One-to-One Power Coaching with Ali – (dates to be advised)

Private sessions / individual bookings $65.00 Incl GST per 1/2 hour available during the following times at the Community Hub:

To book your private session with Ali – contact Ali directly.

What parents are saying about One-to-one Power Coaching for Parents with Ali McCormick

“Attending the coaching with Ali has been such an enjoyable experience.
Ali breaks down our parenting issues in a way we understand and gives us solutions thatare easy to implement!”.

Parenting the Teen Years | The Wānaka App | A Caregivers Blog!

Read:   ‘Why Coaching, Not Just Courses Is What Parents Really Need’ – Real Talk with Ali  [HERE]

Read:   ‘Recharging Your Parental Batteries’  [HERE]. 

Ali shares with us her blog on ‘Recharging Your Parental Batteries’ & the importance in finding the energy for the teen years.

Got a great idea for an event? Let us know!

We’re here to help bring the right people and experts to our community in support of our youth and their families.  If you have an idea for a great topic or speaker, contact us at Path Wānaka | Ara ki Wānaka.  We’ve got you!

Stay in the loop!

Get the latest blog posts, updates and news from Path Wānaka straight to your inbox. Sign up to our newsletter here.

Research shows that dialling up positive emotions can:

• Strengthen the immune system
• Improve test scores and creativity
• Boost sports performance
• Help the body recover from stress faster

And yet – unlike negative emotions, which show up loudly and linger – positive emotions tend to be quiet. We have to notice them, invite them in, and let them land.

Here are three ways to help your teen (and yourself) do just that:

 Spot the glimmers

1. Glimmers are those small, often-overlooked moments that spark even a flicker of joy – sun on your face, finishing a task, a kind message, something funny online. Ask your teen: “What’s one small thing that made you smile today?” When we train the brain to notice glimmers, we naturally invite in more light.

2. Savour the good stuff
   Positive emotions are fleeting. Unlike negative emotions, they don’t tend to stick to the brain unless we help them along. That’s why savouring matters.
   When something feels good – enjoy the feeling for just a few seconds longer. Let it land. Dwell on it. This simple pause gives the brain time to absorb the benefits.

3. Celebrate small wins and good effort
   When something goes well – even just a little – say it out loud. “You handled that really calmly,” or “I saw how kind you were to your friend.” These small affirmations fuel positive emotion and help build confidence, connection, and resilience.

Positive emotions don’t just feel good – they do good.

Kim Tay is the founder of The Wellbeing Works and runs science-based workshops that build mental skills for wellbeing and high performance – at home, at school, and at work. For more bite-sized, no-fluff insights, sign up for her (very occasional, no-spam) newsletter here.

Read Kim’s other posts here.

1. Why Your Teen Might Be Stuck on the Negative – and What Helps! Here
2. Stuck in a Mood? How to Shift It. Here 
3. Taming the Inner Critic (self-talk). Here 

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 is Ali McCormick, an experienced coach, educator and parenting ally who knows that presence beats perfection every time.

We sat down with Ali to talk about what makes this group different, why information alone isn’t enough, and the surprising power of just one deep breath.

Q: Why did you start facilitating the Whānau Support Group?

Ali: Sally [from Path Wānaka] was talking about running parenting training events, and I said, “The research is really clear: training doesn’t land unless it’s followed up.”

Courses are great for information, but they don’t always lead to change. Parents need coaching, someone to help them figure out how to apply that information in the messy reality of everyday life.

That’s what we’ve seen in this group. One parent texted mid-crisis, and we jumped on a quick call. Five minutes later, they had a plan and were back in the game. That’s the kind of support that makes a real difference.

Q: What do you see as the biggest gap in support for parents?

Ali: It’s the application piece. Knowing about parenting strategies isn’t the same as knowing how to use them when emotions are running high.

To bridge that gap, parents need someone to help them reflect, break things down, and adapt tools to their unique family. That’s what coaching does.

And, because I’ve worked for over 30 years in education, child development, and leadership, I can bring a lot of depth to those conversations, with zero judgment.

Q: What’s the most common challenge parents bring to the group?

Ali: Every parent has different challenges, but underneath them all is this one biggie:

Managing their own emotions in the moment, so they can respond rather than react.

That’s what really makes the difference. When parents can regulate themselves, they unlock access to all the other skills. And, it’s something we can all get better at, it just takes support and practice.

I remember one session focused on having fun again. Because when kids are little, parenting is fun plus management. But as they get older, fear replaces fun.

A few weeks after that session, a parent said, “I’ve been having so much fun with my teen again.” And I reminded her, “Remember our conversation?” That shift was intentional and it stuck.

Q: You talk a lot about ‘presence over perfection.’ Why does that idea matter so much?

Ali: Because the only way to build skill is to show up and practice.

Show up, try, fail, adjust, then show up again. That’s how we grow in anything. Parenting is no exception.

Failure isn’t the opposite of success it’s part of the road to it. Learn to fail, or fail to learn.

Q: What would you say to a parent who feels too overwhelmed to join a group like this?

Ali: “Let’s have a quick chat.”

People often think coaching means being told what to do, but coaching is not telling, it’s asking. When fear is in the room: fear of judgment, fear of failure, it’s easy to shut down. 

Once that connection is made, the fear starts to melt away. You don’t have to come with answers. You just have to show up.

Q: And what if someone’s worried they’ll be the only one struggling?

Ali: Everyone is struggling. Show me a parent who hasn’t had a hard moment in their week, and I’ll be surprised. This is life. What’s powerful is realising you’re not alone, and that talking to others brings huge relief.

Q: Can you share a memorable “aha” moment from a past session?

Ali: In our very first group, the magic was in just hearing other people’s stories. Parents felt relief just being able to talk openly.

And when I’d reflect something back to them like, “Did you hear what you just said? That’s amazing parenting right there”, they’d light up. Because we all have a negativity bias, and parents often miss the incredible things they’re already doing.

One time I asked, “When’s the last time you had fun with your kids?”

At first, they froze, no one could answer. Then they smiled and suddenly the stories came out. That’s what we’re alive for – those moments.

Q: What makes this group different from a typical parenting course or seminar?

Ali: I’ve run loads of training courses, and I’ve realised information alone doesn’t create change. I kept hearing the same thing: “I’ve done all the courses, and nothing’s changed.” Information is important, but it’s not enough.

What makes this group different is the real-time, reflective coaching.

This group is small, personal, and interactive. We go deeper. We figure out how to apply the ideas. That’s what makes the difference

Q: If a parent did just one thing differently this week, what would you suggest?

Ali: Count to five. Take a deep breath. Ask yourself a curious question.

That’s three things, I’m greedy! But honestly, that moment of pause can completely change how you respond.

Q: What do you love most about working with parents in this way? What keeps bringing you back to this work?

Ali: I love working with people. I love meaningful conversations. I do a lot of planning and curriculum development, but where the rubber hits the road is when I take that work into the room with real people. I love watching those small shifts ripple outward, when a parent becomes more aware, more present, more connected.

They talk to their child differently. That child feels safer. Then they talk to their friends differently. That’s how change spreads.

You don’t need massive transformation. You just need a nudge in the right direction, a bit of belief that it’s possible, and that builds momentum. That’s how change happens.

I just think human beings are awesome. (As are plants and animals, of course, I wouldn’t want to be unfair!)

The Path Wānaka Whānau Support Group — Term 4 Sessions Begin Thursday 6th November

Led by Ali McCormick, this is a free group coaching programme designed to support parents and caregivers through the challenges of raising teens.

It’s real, practical, warm, and entirely judgement-free.

Small, confidential group sessions

In-person and online sessions

Grounded in neuroscience, coaching and positive psychology

100% free to attend

Learn more and register here.

Got questions? Reach out to us here.

Final word?

You’ve got this. But you don’t have to do it alone.

Join us and let’s grow through this together.

Whether your child is gaming, messaging friends, or just using a basic phone, this kōrero highlights why staying informed matters – and how Rob Cope’s presentation can help us all feel more equipped to guide and support the young people in our lives.

Listen to the full kōrero here.

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 me?”

It’s frustrating to watch – and even harder to help – when a young person spirals into self-doubt.

But here’s the good news: we can coach them to respond with PETs – Performance Enhancing Thoughts. These are realistic, encouraging statements that help build confidence and calm under stress. And the science shows they’re even more powerful when delivered in the third person.

Instead of “I’m going to mess this up,” try:
→ “You’ve prepared for this, Jack – take a breath and give it a go.”

Instead of “I’m so bad at this,” try:
→ “You can do hard things, Maia – just keep going.”

This technique is called distanced self-talk. It activates the brain’s thinking centre, reduces emotional overwhelm, and improves decision-making under pressure.

You can model it too. Say your thoughts out loud sometimes:
“C’mon Kim, it’s not that hard, it’s not that deep, just get it done.”

The goal isn’t to fake confidence. It’s to talk to yourself (and teach your teen to talk to themselves) the way you’d speak to someone you care about.

That small shift helps tame the inner critic – and make room for something more encouraging.

For more on how to harness the power of self-talk, check out Ethan Kross’s TED talk Do you talk  to yourself? Here’s how to harness your inner voice.

Kim Tay is the founder of The Wellbeing Works and runs science-based workshops that build mental skills for wellbeing and high performance – at home, at school, and at work. For more bite-sized, no-fluff insights, sign up for her (very occasional, no-spam) newsletter here.

Read Kim’s previous posts here.

1. Why Your Teen Might Be Stuck on the Negative – and What Helps! 
2. Stuck in a Mood? How to Shift It 

Nicola, a passionate educator with a deep commitment to community connection, didn’t mince her words:

“You have to think of online predators like it’s their full-time job.”

“Parents often feel isolated like it’s just happening to just their child. But it’s not.”

“Social media, gaming, even online gambling: these things are hooking our teenagers in ways we never have had to face.”

Nicola understands the pressures parents face today, however she also knows the power of coming together as a wider community to support our rangatahi.

That’s why she’s throwing her support behind an important upcoming event hosted by Path Wānaka:

Our Kids Online with Rob Cope

Thursday 11 September

6:30PM Lake Wānaka Centre

Get your tickets here.

Rob Cope’s Our Kids Online is a powerful, practical session for parents and caregivers. Whether you’ve got a teenager deep into the world of social media or gaming, or a younger child just starting their digital journey, this evening will give you tools, strategies and insights to help keep them safe, balanced and well.

It’s not about fear, it’s about feeling well equipped.

As Nicola said, “Education is about preparing young people for their lives now and in the future. That includes their online lives.”

Who is this event for?

Parents, caregivers, grandparents

Educators and youth workers

Anyone who wants to better understand the digital world our kids live in.

Can’t afford a ticket?

No problem, we don’t want cost to be a barrier – just reach out to us and we’ll make sure you’re looked after. Contact email: hello@pathwanaka.org.nz

We’re lucky to live in a place like Wānaka, where the outdoors are our playground and community still matters. But even here, we’re not immune to the challenges of the digital age. Let’s show up for our kids!

Get your ticket now: https://events.humanitix.com/our-kids-online-rob-cope/tickets

Click here to hear the full interview between Nicola Jacobsen, te Kura o Tititea Principal Mount Aspiring College and Joel Palmer, More FM Breakfast Host – Queenstown.

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 for people who have historically been denied these basic needs. And it’s about showing our Rainbow community: we are here for you.

Why Wānaka Needs Pride

Pride in Wānaka is more than a weekend of events. It’s about building a future where our Rainbow Rangatahi grow up knowing they are loved, safe, valued, and that they belong here.

OUT&about Wānaka began Pride in response to local homophobia.  Research backs the need: the 2019 Youth19 survey found that around 18% of young people identify as rainbow or questioning. These are our kids, growing up in our community.

Sadly, rainbow youth remain at higher risk. Around 60% report discrimination. Many experience bullying, exploitation online, or feel they must live “two lives” — one online where they find community, and one offline where they often feel invisible.  And this is why Pride matters.

What Pride Stands For

OUT&about Wānaka champions positivity, visibility, safety and belonging. We want our rainbow rangatahi to hear loud and clear: “You are seen. You are heard. You are not alone.”

Pride also invites families, schools, workplaces, and community leaders to step up, to listen, to learn, and to create spaces where every young person feels safe to be themselves.

How You Can Help

Change begins with conversation – open, caring, and without judgment. We can all make space: in classrooms, sports teams, workplaces, and around the dinner table. Being an ally doesn’t mean having all the answers. It simply means showing up, speaking up, and standing beside those who need support.

So, Why Not Straight Pride?

Because straight and cisgender people already live in a society that affirms them. They aren’t made to feel ashamed of who they love or who they are. Heterosexual youth don’t grow up hiding their identity out of fear of bullying or violence.

Pride isn’t about taking anything away. It’s about adding love, colour, and understanding – for everyone.

Want to Know More?

Contact the OUT&about Wānaka team kiaora@outandaboutwanaka.co.nz

Author Oliver Harcus is the Chairperson OUT&about Wānaka Charitable Trust.

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. It’s huge. It feels out of control. And yes, at times, it’s overwhelming.

That’s why we are again hosting Rob Cope, writer, filmmaker, and presenter of Our Kids Online, for a Cyber Safety event that every parent of teens and pre-teens in our community MUST attend.

This isn’t an optional “parenting info evening.”

This is the talk you cannot afford to miss if you are invested in keeping your child safe online.

The Hard Truth : Our Local Reality

In 2023, the Upper Clutha Youth Voice Survey asked our young people about their online experiences. The results are confronting:

• 89% of Upper Clutha teens have been exposed to worrying or nasty content online.
  … That’s not a global stat. That’s our kids. Right here.
• 3 in 5 young people say social media is harming their mental health.
• Half of students said they had not shared information or images they later regretted. And the other half?
• Social media is among the top four biggest problems our young people say they are facing today.

“It’s getting darker and darker. What our kids face online is getting worse, not better.”

– Rob Cope

“Predators are now asking victims to self-harm, cut themselves, video it, and send it to them.”

– Rob Cope

What’s Really Happening to Our Kids?

This isn’t scare-mongering. These are the realities New Zealand children are facing right now:

• Sexting is normalised by Year 8.
• Teen boys are regularly watching violent porn.
• Gaming addiction is costing teens their sleep, focus, mental health, and real-life connection with friends and family.
• Predators make first contact through apps that our teens are accessing – Snapchat, Instagram DMs, and gaming chats to name a few.
• Our tamariki are being exposed to unsolicited nudes, or feeling pressured to send them.
• Many don’t tell parents for fear of losing their phone or getting into trouble.

“It has nothing to do with good kid, bad kid, good family, bad family. One day another kid shows something to your child, and now they’re in it.” – Rob Cope

The Images They Can’t Unsee

Violent beheadings. Animal cruelty. Live-streamed suicides. Porn they never should have to be exposed to. Shocked? You should be!!

“My own daughter watched the Christchurch massacre in its entirety on a friend’s phone. Most of the kids at her school saw it that day.” – Rob Cope

Counsellors are hearing from 11 and 12-year-olds asking:

“Am I a bad person because I can’t stop thinking about it?”

This is trauma, and it’s happening to children years before they are emotionally mature to process it.

Why You Need to Hear Rob Cope

Rob Cope is a parent, filmmaker, and the co-founder of Our Kids Online. He’s spent seven years travelling New Zealand, uncovering the uncomfortable truths about what’s happening to our young people online, and how to fight back.

This event is not a lecture. It’s a reality check and a toolkit for action. You’ll leave shocked, but more importantly equipped with the knowledge and tools to protect your tamariki and whānau.

Our Kids Online Event Details

Thursday 11 September

6:30–8:30 PM

Lake Wānaka Centre

Get Your Tickets Here 

Final Word

If you think this doesn’t apply to your child, that’s exactly why you should come.

Show up for your teen, for their safety, their wellbeing, and their future.

“When I protected my kids online, I also protected yours… please protect your kids so you’re also protecting mine.” Rob Cope

Author: Path Wānaka Staff Writer.

Listen to The Platform host Leah Panapa speak to Rob Cope earlier this month on why online harm is only getting worse.

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 endless notifications, it’s easy to feel like you’re never quite doing enough. But here’s a gentle reminder: your teen doesn’t need a perfect parent. They just need a present one.

Instead of chasing perfect parenting, try shifting focus to what really matters:

• PRESENCE over perfection
• LISTENING over lecturing
• CONNECTION over correction
• GROWTH over grades

A Simple Daily Check-In

If you’re not sure where to start, ask yourself this: How much deep attention do I give to building a positive connection with my teen each day?

These quick, low-effort ideas can have a big impact over time:

• 10 minutes of undivided attention every day
• One genuine compliment about their character
• Ask: “What was the best part of your day? Why?”
• Share something new you learned recently

These simple, ‘daily’ consistent moments help build trust, respect, and openness that teens respond to.

You Don’t Have to Do It Alone

The Path Wānaka Parent Whānau Group Coaching Programme is designed for parents who want practical tools, not just theory, and a safe, confidential space to explore challenges, feel heard, and learn strategies that actually work.

• Whether you’re navigating:
• Communication breakdowns
• Behavioural challenges
• Big emotions (theirs or yours)
• Feeling unsupported or overwhelmed or just stuck …
• … you’re not alone. And you’re not failing.

Term 4 Group Parent Whānau Group Coaching Details

We’re back for Term 4 starting on Thursday 6^th November with a mix of in-person and online sessions, designed to work with your busy schedules.

Join other local parents creating positive change in their families through confidential small group parent coaching.

What you’ll get from the group:

• Real tools that work for real teens
• Support from other local parents facing similar struggles
• Strategies to rebuild connection and trust
• Confidence in your parenting and decision-making

Or if a group isn’t your thing, private 1:1 sessions (45-60 minutes) with Ali are also available.

One Last Thing – You’ve got this.

But you don’t have to do it on your own.

Every parent in our coaching programme has started exactly where you are now – unsure, tired, and trying their best.

Choose to invest in the most important relationship of all. Your teen needs you to be the parent who:

• Shows up
• Stays curious
• Keeps growing

Want to learn more?

Learn more here or contact us hello@pathwanaka.org.nz with any further queries.

Truth: ‘Good parents ask for help when they need it’.

(Real parenting isn’t about perfection — it’s about showing up, learning as you go, and modelling that it’s OK to seek support.
That’s not weakness — that’s wisdom).

Author Ali McCormick is a highly Skilled and engaging teacher; she makes complex concepts easy to grasp and apply, instilling confidence in all learners. Her style is clear, positive and inclusive. Ali’s powerful coaching skills  ensure everyone walks away with an actionable, personalised plan.

Got a great idea for an event? Let us know!

We’re here to help bring the right people and experts to our community in support of our youth and their families.  If you have an idea for a great topic or speaker, contact us at Path Wānaka | Ara ki Wānaka.  We’ve got you!

Stay in the loop!

Get the latest blog posts, updates and news from Path Wānaka straight to your inbox. Sign up to our newsletter here.