Surfing through the tough stuff

Live for More graduates, with Peter Blackwell. From left, Dylan Robson, Hoani Walker who received the top “Tai Watea Warrior” award, Peter Blackwell, Iharaira Wikeepa, Jarreau Grant and Wiremu Dixon.

It's a programme that uses surfing to transform troubled lives.

And the value of the Live for More programme has been acknowledged by the Legacy Trust which has given just under $3,000 towards taonga or cultural treasures for the young men graduating from its courses.

Working with high-risk, disengaged young men aged between 17 and 24 who are caught up in lifestyles of crime, prison, drugs and alcohol, Live for More offers counselling, mentoring, cultural support and advocacy through its surf therapy programme, as well as support leading into employment or a course.

'We show them a different, more positive way of life,” says the group's founder and clinician Krista Davis. 'We believe in them so they can learn to believe in themselves,” she says.

Krista says the gift from Legacy has been a 'total blessing” that has enabled the purchase of well-deserved gifts for this year's graduates.

'The young men receive their awards and taonga with such pride. For many of them it is the first time they have graduated from something. These are items these young men will cherish forever.”

Legacy's Peter Blackwell, who was at the graduation, says to see and hear the massive difference Live for More is making is so powerful.

'Saving victims and breaking the cycle of drugs and crime is something we should all support. Live for More is a small and amazing organisation dealing with the tough stuff involving young male Maori who have faced challenging and sad stories.

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