Kura Kaupapa
Mana over Meth Kura Kaupapa is an interactive programme about addiction and recovery, that gets rangatahi engaging in real-life situations through working together as a roopu (group). It is designed for schools and was launched in Te Tai Tokerau. Jessica Apanui and Holly Beckham share their experiences of addiction and their journey to recovery, offering solutions and giving a unique presentation with humour and aroha.
This kaupapa stemmed from the huge amount of feedback from people who had seen our documentary Mana over Meth, and the obvious need to have an open korero with rangatahi. With the generous support of Te Rau Ora, Jessica Apanui and Director Holly Beckham are now able to take their stories to others to help make a difference in the lives of Year 12 and 13 school students.
The Mana over Meth Kura Kaupapa session starts with a karakia followed by Jess and Holly introducing themselves and telling their story, followed by an interactive session including icebreakers, reflection, open and honest dialogue and feedback. The session is designed to give rangatahi a safe outlet to share their own experiences.
Kura
We have had the pleasure of having a korero with rangitahi at these forward thinking kura.
Te Waha O Rerekohu,
Te Araroa
Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Kawakawa mai Tawhiti,
Hicks Bay
Te Kura Tuarua O Te Kamo,
Kamo
Taipa Area School,
Taipa
Ngata Memorial College,
Ruatoria
Murupara Area School,
Murupara
Tarawera High School,
Tarawera
If your school or rūnanga would like to talk to Jess and Holly about tailor-making a presentation to your rangatahi, please contact manaovermeth@gmail.com
“I liked how honest you guys were about your past, and you were awesome at acting.”
Jessica Apanui
Hailing from Te Araroa, Jess grew up in a West Auckland home of violence and substance abuse: Jess was witness to things she can never unsee. At the age of 12, Jess started using drugs as a way to fit in and to mask the hurt and fear she was experiencing.
Her life continued to spiral out of control, hoping that becoming a mother would be the change she needed. Unfortunately, meth had sunk its hooks in deep and Jess had no way out. Eventually she started manufacturing meth in her West Auckland home.
This is her story.
Today, Jess is 3 years clean with the gift of Recovery. Now an advocate for helping whānau who are trying to get clean, she documents her journey on her Facebook page Life Beyond Meth (LBM) with 12,000 followers. Jess is a busy mother but is still committed every day to change her community, one addict at a time.
Follow Jess on the links below.
Holly Beckham
Ko Poērua tōku maunga
Ko Te kirikiri tōku awa
Ko ngawha tōku marae
Ko E koro kia tutuki whare tupuna
Ko Ngātokimatawharua tōku waka
Ko Ngāti Rangi tōku hapu
Ko Ngāpuhi tōku iwi
Holly Beckham is one of the new generation of Māori wāhine in the New Zealand film and television industry. An aspiring documentary director, her kaupapa is to give voice to others.
Holly's first powerful documentary about addiction He Ara Anō has won numerous awards and has been shown at festivals globally and in Aotearoa. It was created while a student at South Seas Film School.
Holly is proud of her Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Rangi heritage and knows that it is what makes her storytelling approach so strong. As a recovering addict who is 3 years clean, she is ideally placed to tell the story of Mana Wāhine.
Today Holly's resume includes production work at Pango - independent Māori content creators across TV and digital - GreenstoneTV, and Attitude Pictures. You can contact Holly here.
