Welcome to the newest member of our team Bex Taplin, who has joined Peter Baker as part of our Rongoa services.

Bex, who is originally from the East Coast of the North Island, moved to Riverton in January to be closer to family, and because she loved the relaxed environment and the people of Southland. It’s also a great place to raise her four children, she says.

Health and wellbeing has always been her focus and she has studied kinesiology, reiki, therapeutic massage and rongoa among others.

Bex was drawn to Nga Kete after hearing it offered several services from addictions counselling to doctor services and more at little or no cost.

“It’s all for the people. It’s help that’s accessible to everyone and that’s just brilliant.”

A group of students from Aurora College are proposing activities for school breaks to aid them on their smoke free journey.

The group have come together through a weekly support network set up by the Southern Stop Smoking Service. Since its commencement on 13 March, all five are either smoke free or days off their quit date.

Now, they say, it’s about remaining smoke free.

Class breaks can be some of the toughest times, so the group have brainstormed ideas to keep them busy. Some of those include rugby practice, cooking, sports challenges, boxing, gym access, art therapy and catch up classes.

The students are participating in the group voluntarily. Aurora College are supporting the students and allowing them to participate in the group during school hours. Whanau are also actively supporting their children to become smoke free.

Stop Smoking coach Joanne Te Tai says it’s great to see the young teens coming together, supporting each other, and brainstorming ideas to keep them busy during the tough times.

The Southern Stop Smoking Service is working towards providing support in schools across the Southern Region