Over the course of Term 2 2025, Youth Encounter had the pleasure of delivering our Group Therapy programme to six students from Awhina Activity Centre in Rotorua. These rangatahi – aged between 13 and 14-years-old – were referred to us on behalf of Awhina Activity Centre (alternative education) in Rotorua. They were identified as having the following risk factors: abuse and neglect, criminal activity, disengaged from education, family breakdown, financial hardship, mental health issues, intellectual disability, and trauma.
During this therapy programme, three youth facilitators – two activity staff and one counsellor – journeyed alongside these young people to ensure their individual needs were met and effective outcomes were reached for each person. Our Kaupapa at Youth Encounter is firmly rooted in Te Whare Tapa Whā model of wellness, which allows facilitators to focus on healing and strengthening a person's holistic well-being while engaged with our programmes. These taiohi were also empowered to make their own decisions, encouraged to challenge their thinking and create new mindsets.
This therapy programme is aimed to provide support for young people who will often not engage in traditional methods of counselling. Whilst incorporating techniques of cognitive behavioural and narrative therapy, the activity of dirt biking allows young people to learn new skills and unleash their potential. Throughout the eight weeks that this programme was facilitated, the group from Awhina Activity Centre showed a high level of engagement in all aspects of the course. We saw these rangatahi beginning to put in place the life skills they were learning and they had an incredible ability to think critically about each of the modules we presented.
These taiohi were with support and strategies to improve their mental well-being and social interactions for healthier whānau. Within this programme, our strategic outcome focus is to facilitate young people struggling with mental health, trauma, neurodiversity, and other challenges, to find a more secure identity by:
Increasing self-worth through strengthening mana
Having more meaningful relationships with whānau through understanding their whakapapa
Engaging in values-based learning (mātauranga) for a healthier connection with self
Developing social skills to grow healthy relationships (hononga)
The Impact We Saw;
As facilitators, we were blown away with the energy, commitment, receptiveness, and eagerness to learn that this group brought to Youth Encounter every week. Each group member has incredible participant in this programme. We built amazing connections throughout their engagement and got to witness each of them gain a greater understanding of themselves and their own values. As a group, we set the values of fun, courage, loyalty, trust, and thankfulness. Two of the most significant learnings that this group took away from their engagement was from our superposition and choices modules. The empowerment and unconditional positive regard that our facilitators displayed led to significant growth in their social interactions which in-turn had an effect on their educational pursuits and social behaviours. We also saw an amazing shift in their ability to contribute in a group context and share empowering messages with each other.
The Outcomes We Captured;
Youth Encounter captures the impact on our rangatahi and the difference we have made in their lives for the greater good of society.
We take our rangatahi through Tuckman's group developmental stages as they journey from lacking self-worth to becoming more secure in their identity. From the beginning, safety is established to form trusting connections and unleash their incredible potential. All participants successfully completed eight weeks of Group Therapy and self-reported the following impacts.
1. Increased self-worth and strengthened connection with self (mana);
✔ All participants could identify their core values and use these to create further connections with the self.
✔ All participants learnt the skills and knowledge to feel confident and safe while participating in the dirt bike riding therapy activity.
2. More meaningful relationships with whanau through understanding their whakapapa;
✔ Participants had a trusting and friendly connection with all the Youth Encounter staff.
✔ Participants demonstrated respect for each other and the course facilitators.
✔ Participants' relationships with whānau and friends improved as a direct result of the therapy.
3. Engaged in values-based learning (mātauranga) for a healthier connection with self;
✔ All the participants demonstrated that they are navigating a more positive track in life.
✔ All participants eagerly engaged in Youth Encounter's Live Life Wide Open Track life learnings of the activity-based therapy.
✔ All participants engaged enthusiastically in values-based learning and adhered to the values set by the group.
4. Developing social skills to grow healthy relationships (hononga);
✔ All participants actively participated in the group and put effort into growing their relationships with their peers and facilitators.
✔ All participants developed trusting and respectful connections with Youth Encounter Staff.
The following feedback was received from Kelly Kinita, Awhina Activity Centre, following the commencement of Therapy;
Awhina was fortunate to work with Youth Encounter Ministries Trust, Term 2, 2025. Our school truly appreciates the work that the staff at Youth Encounter do with our students, each week, while engaging with them. They always returned back to school on Friday, excited to share what they did and always look forward to the next week.
During the term that our students attended, you saw individual growth as the weeks progressed. It was awesome to see them be more willing to participate openly in conversations, sharing more about themselves, and happy to work with other external providers. This year we were also lucky enough to have Logan do a follow up counselling session at Awhina each Tuesday throughout the term. This allowed students to have their own special time with him. Our students looked forward to his visits.
Awhina as a whole, whanau and teachers, enjoy going out to visit on the last day to see what they do on their dirt bikes. It is awesome to see the relationship students have with all staff. They spoke highly of them and love the independence they instil.
Thank you for considering Awhina on this journey.
E mihi ana
Kelly Kinita
Director of Awhina Activity Centre
Choices Module
At Youth Encounter, our dirt bike therapy programme journeys through the eight modules on the Live Life Wide Open Track. One of the modules that this group found the most influential was the module of choices.
In Week 6 of our dirt bike therapy programme, we focus on the theme of choices. On the bike, this plays out in the decisions riders make about which line to take on the track. These choices are influenced by conditions such as weather, speed, confidence, and the track’s surface. Regardless of those factors, we always have a choice about where we ride.
This practical learning links directly to our life module for the week, which explores the concept that we always have a choice in life. Even choosing not to act is still a choice—and every choice carries a consequence. Importantly, consequences aren't always negative; they are simply outcomes. Through this module, we empower young people to become more aware of the decisions they’re making and to reflect on how those choices can shape their future in powerful ways.
Story of Transformation
When Tui was first referred to the group therapy programme at Youth Encounter, he was hesitant and unsure. He had never been on a dirt bike before and was scared at the thought of even trying. His reluctance to attend was obvious, and he arrived at the programme with walls built high—uncertain of what to expect and doubtful of what he could achieve.
But something began to shift.
Despite his fear, Tui gave it a go and each week, he returned; First quietly, then with growing confidence. As he began to find his way on the bike, he also started to find his voice. The very thing that had scared him became the tool that helped him grow. Week by week, his confidence bloomed and he began to discover more about who he was as a person.
Tui became a valuable presence in the group. He began contributing meaningfully to our values discussions, asking deep questions and reflecting with insight. Where he once sat on the fringes, he now stood with courage. He offered his perspective, showed empathy to others, and stepped into a quiet form of leadership that inspired those around him.
The impact of the programme extended far beyond the dirt track. Tui, who rarely attended school in the past, willingly engaged with his transition back into mainstream education. He attended his transition days, and the barriers that once held him back started to dissolve. He became more resilient, more self-assured, and more willing to face challenges head-on.
Tui’s transformation was powerful. From fear to confidence, from hesitation to leadership—he showed what’s possible when a young person is given space, support, and belief. He played a huge role in the life of our group and reminded us all that courage isn't the absence of fear, but the willingness to show up anyway. Tui has enormous potential, and we believe his journey is only just beginning.
Please note that names have been changed to protect privacy.