Waitaki Whānau Overcoming Addiction

01/10/2026

Where is it all coming from?

24/09/2026

The Police along with other agencies have carried out 85 search warrants resulting in 34 arrests over the last week. Taking off the street 30kg of m**hamphetamine, 2.3kg of o***m, 427 o***m pills. This stuff is causing misery and tearing kiwi families apart but are there any unintended consequences from a war on drugs.

29/06/2026

💙

25-year-old Jodie Rameka wrote and hand-delivered letters to stores in Whangārei's C*D explaining the harm caused by m**h.

26/06/2026

Please remind your loved ones to take care

One person has died and three others remain in hospital after five cases of GHB overdose in Wellington on Friday.

Read more below 🔗

06/06/2026

Next Support Group is on Tuesday 11th August 2026

06/05/2026

As a previous co‑ordinator of Waitaki Whānau Overcoming Addiction, I want to share a quick update and a heartfelt thank you to everyone who has been part of this journey so far.

Our support group has always been about connection, honesty, and standing alongside whānau who are navigating the impacts of m**h harm. I’m really pleased to let you know that a new organisation will now be taking the lead in running the group going forward. They bring strong experience, genuine care, and a commitment to keeping this space safe, confidential, and grounded in community. I’m confident the group is in good hands and will continue to grow in the ways our community needs.

Monthly meetings will be held on the second Tuesday of the month at 6.30pm

I also want to highlight the upcoming workshops being offered by Stronger Waitaki. These sessions are a fantastic opportunity for both rangatahi and the wider community to learn more about m**h harm, safety, and how to support loved ones. Peter Thorburn from MESS NZ brings a wealth of knowledge and a down‑to‑earth approach that makes tough topics easier to understand.

There are two events coming up on Thursday, 28 May:

A Rangatahi Workshop (ages 16–20) from 4–5.30pm

A Community Talk from 7–8.30pm

Both are free, held at the Ōamaru Pacific Island Trust on Ribble Street, and include kai.

If you or someone you know could benefit from these conversations, please share the details or come along. These are the kinds of kōrero that strengthen our whole community.

Thank you again to everyone who has supported the group, shared their stories, or simply shown up for others. Your courage and compassion continue to make a real difference.

06/05/2026