Circle of Courage Tours New Zealand

Eight cyclists will ride the length of New Zealand to address issues of “at-risk” behaviour among young people in small, rural communities for four weeks this year. They are part of the Circle of Courage New Zealand cycle tour that will kick off from “where the journey begins” in Bluff on the South Island on Sunday, 11 February.

“Studies have revealed worrying results of at-risk behaviour among young people in New Zealand,” says Jonathan Duffy, director of Adventist Health for the South Pacific Division. “About half of the students in New Zealand have tried marijuana at age 16 and 80% of them currently drink alcohol, with more than half having an episode of binge drinking in the past month. About 20 in every 1000 females of that age also get pregnant and have a child.”

The Circle of Courage is a model that focuses on four main areas – belonging, mastery, independence and generosity.

“Adults can help negate the disturbing trend of risk behaviour in young people by embracing the Circle of Courage model we’ll be promoting,” says Mr Duffy. “Research shows the most important protector against risk taking for young people is for them to feel valued by significant adults in their community. I want to challenge the adults in rural communities to take the leading role in developing positive relationships. This will build resilience and self-esteem among young people.”

This is the second Circle of Courage cycle tour organised by Adventist Health. Mr Duffy rode from Perth to Sydney, covering almost 4500 km in 31 days with five other cyclists addressing at-risk issues in small towns across Australia in 2005.

This year, Jonathan will be riding with Steve Bank, Doug McLeod, Neone Okesene, Jake Ormsby, Norah West and father and daughter Paul and Rebekah Rankin. They will cover an average of 100 kilometres a day and speak in 23 towns across New Zealand. The tour will conclude at the lighthouse in Cape Reinga on the North Island on 8 March.

The Circle of Courage New Zealand cycle tour has been organised by Adventist Health in the New Zealand Pacific Union Conference (NZPUC).
 
“As adults, we can make a difference in the lives of the young people in New Zealand,” says Paul Rankin, tour coordinator and director of Adventist Health for the NZPUC. “By the end of the tour, I hope to see every adult in the towns we’ve visited get to know at least five young people by their name.”

His daughter Rebekah, 16 and an avid cyclist, will also be joining him on the ride. “The Circle of Courage ride is a chance to do one of those once in a lifetime things that I couldn’t let go by without me,” she says. “But more than that I see it as a way to spend a month with my dad and have one of those father and daughter adventures.”

The 26-day, 2229 km ride is being sponsored by a number of businesses and organisations, including Sanitarium Health Food Company and the Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) New Zealand.