TALKING THE WALK

Four students at Ao Tawhiti, Elroy Jorgensen, Kingi Linke, Archie Hayes, and Otis Jorgensen, have taken on a project that has transformed their attitudes towards learning. They have created a podcast (The Huddle) where they interview famous sports personalities about their lives and careers. The podcast has been instrumental in enhancing the boys’ learning experience and providing a platform for them to showcase their talents.

Ao Tawhiti, with its student-centred approach, allows the boys to pursue their interests and passions. They love sports, especially rugby, but are the first to admit they don’t like writing. The podcast gave them an opportunity to express themselves creatively and explore their writing abilities. Initially, they wanted to interview rugby players, but the project has expanded to include a diverse range of sports personalities.

Each episode is focused on the sports star’s life and career, interests, challenges, and the role of E Tū Tāngata in their lives. E Tū Tāngata is an initiative that aims to tackle Tall Poppy Syndrome in New Zealand. The boys’ podcast has created numerous learning opportunities, including grant applications, designing merchandise, seeking sponsorship, attending podcasting workshops, and subcontracting jobs out to other students.

The podcast has motivated the boys to think differently, take risks, and heavily involve their parents, students, and staff, making it a community-based project. It has opened new career opportunities for them and has helped them connect their education with the real world. They are proud of what they have achieved and are grateful for the support of their interviewees.

The podcast has shifted the way the boys learn, and made it powerful, meaningful, and engaging. It has inspired them to pursue new passions and has given them confidence in their abilities. The boys are a shining example of what can be achieved when students are given the freedom to pursue their interests and passions in a supportive learning environment.

You can find The Huddle podcast on Spotify.

Do you know a young person who deserves some recognition? Email editor@avenues.net.nz

My passion for Land Cruisers comes from having an interest in cars since I was younger. My father was passionate about everything related to cars, which was then passed down to me. This sparked my interest in collecting cars, initially beginning with everything from small MK2 Golfs to speedy Mazda RX7s. Being around cars gave me so much enjoyment; I began to build my knowledge of all the different makes and models in the market through my own curiosity as well as working in asset finance.

Eventually, I graduated from the RX7s to collecting older Land Cruisers. There’s something special about these vehicles; each Cruiser is unique with its own character. Meanwhile, my passion for vehicles continued to grow as I learned about larger trucks and trailers. I have since built a business in asset finance, working with some of the biggest transport operators in the country.

I have continued to grow my collection of Cruisers, which has become more than just a hobby, seeking out rare finds and restoring them to become driveable. The restoration process is just as rewarding as the end result, giving new life to a vehicle with plenty of unrealised potential.

This car has travelled all over the South Island, and it still puts a smile on my face every time I start it. It is definitely not the comfiest to drive and not the fastest, but its timeless, rugged design never fails to impress.

I love their ruggedness and reliability; they are bulletproof and can be counted on to take you anywhere you need to go.

“I came here in 2020, post-first lockdown and got a plot here with Mary Croft. We turned the grass over and planted a few beds of carrots and cauliflower in the middle of winter.

“We were both quite concerned about where we would get food post the Covid crisis. I was showing Mary around all the community gardens, and this one had space. So, we became plot-holders for about six months, and in that period, I was offered a job.

“The aim of the game is to provide food for the community. We look after the ground, and the ground looks after the food, and the food looks after the people.

“So many community gardens are developed as community initiatives, as bumping spaces for community connection! Nothing wrong with that. But I like a big system. I want to be able to empower people to feed themselves. Famines are real, and they happen in all sorts of countries in all sorts of demographics.

to reduce our fresh food bill for people’s households, then it’s growing fresh food locally. It’s not wackadoo anymore. When I talked about planting more fruit trees 20 years ago, it was wackadoo! People were like, ‘No, there’ll be fruit dropping off onto footpaths! There’ll be wasps!’ Now with over 12,000 fruit trees mapped in Ōtautahi public spaces, we need a plan to look after these assets – and plant more.

“People think that farming is exhausting, but have you ever seen me running around here knackered? I’m always just wandering around, laughing, and having a lovely time. I do like an open sky. Look, at the moment, I’m a little stressed because I’ve got like 21 beds I need to sow, but it’s sunny. It’s not raining, so it will get done.

“Some people just come down for their mental health, weed quietly by themselves, then go back to their office and do this, that, and the other, and all’s right with the world. The garden can recharge you and give to the community.

“We are in a crisis, and it’s not just here; it’s global. Fifteen per cent of Christchurch’s population is food insecure. If we want facebook.com/humansofchch

“You know, there’s no one going to come to save us except ourselves. So let’s go do that.”