Research and Resources
Knowledge helps us walk the path, together.
We produce research and reports for the benefit of our youth, our community, caregivers, parents and whānau.
We take an evidence-based approach, leaning on agency partners, experts and specialists.
The Wānaka Youth Survey
The Upper Clutha Wānaka Youth Survey is designed to help inform agency partners, caregivers and the community about the intentions and habits of our youth, as well as understanding the concerns held by both youth and caregivers.
Highlighting the adult-size problems faced by youth in our district helps us all better navigate the paths required to support them.
Parents: Ask your teens to complete the 2026 Youth Survey HERE.
New for 2026 – Parent | Whānau Survey
In addition to our 2026 Youth Survey Project – we are introducing a Parent | Whānau Survey in late May.
- What truly matters to you as a parent in the Wānaka | Upper Clutha region? What’s Working? What’s Missing? What’s Next?
- This survey will create space for you to pause and reflect on your parenting experience – the pressures, the joys, the realities of raising whānau here.
This Parent Survey, is designed to ensure it captures what genuinely matters to our community.
Your voice. Your community. Your chance to influence what comes next and help us get it right!
Background - Our Approach
Since 2016 Path Wānaka (Ara ki Wānaka) has been researching and tracking the attitudes towards, and engagement with, harmful substances, and the activities of youth living in the Upper Clutha. The 2023 survey was conducted in May and June and invited students from Te Kura o Tititea Mount Aspiring College to participate. The age range covered 11-24 year olds. Parental consent was sought for those under 14 years of age. The survey went to 560 students with 232 surveys submitted. Of the surveys submitted, 181 were analysed.
The research is conducted by an independent researcher.
2023 - What Did We Find?
Positive risk-taking is an important part of growing up. It helps young people developer their identities and learn from success or failure.
Activities such as playing sports, trying new activities and volunteering as positive risk-taking behaviours. 89% of students surveyed participate in some form of outdoor sports. 54% volunteer and 50% participate in the arts.
Negative risk-taking activities are those that concern parents and the community. Alcohol remains the most tried substance with vaping the next highest. Vaping was listed by students as the biggest concern for youth today. The impact of social media is a concern with over 50% of students being exposed to images that they consider nasty or disturbing.
To read more, download the report below.