Films, song tackle bullying problems

MEANINGFUL MUSIC: Kamo High School singer and songwriter Summer Cassidy-Maeva records her Tu Toa anti-bullying song Never with Northland musician Troy Kingi. PHOTO/MICHAEL CUNNINGHAM

For 17-year-old Rhonda Courtney, shooting a set of bullying awareness films brought back memories of going into her high school cafeteria and wondering who she would sit with that day.

Ms Courtney, who helped make four films as part of the Tu Toa (Stand Tall) anti-bullying project, said she refuses to think of these moments as "weak points".

The films were launched at a red carpet event last night at Whangarei's Event Cinemas. Songwriter Summer Cassidy-Maeva, 17, has also recorded a song, Never, which she performed at the premiere.

It was hoped the films would be shown in schools and as part of the ongoing work of Tu Toa while the song will be released.

"For me, there were a few moments that came back shooting those films reminding me of when I was still in high school ... wondering who was going to be around the corner staring at me next, or wondering who would be the next person to make the snide comment," Ms Courtney, who is in a wheelchair, said.

"Those moments are strong points in my life because it was a realisation that I had a choice.

"I could either let it get me down and make me upset. Or I could just do what I was going to do and let people pass on their judgment and just not care."

Tu Toa has been running out of Whangarei Youth Space for the last year. While the anti-bullying message is somewhat hackneyed, project co-ordinator Ryan Donaldson said Tu Toa is different in that it is by youth, for youth and works alongside both victims and bullies.

The focus of Tu Toa over the last six months has been creating four films, each with a distinct message and Mr Donaldson said engaging with people who were bullying others was one of the most interesting parts of the process. "It's hard because I don't see them as bullies, they're often just normal youth that are quite outspoken."

Four groups - Channel North children's television crew Pukeko Echo; CCS Disability Action; LGBTQ youth group WhangaReinbow and Whangarei Youth Space - each took charge of their own film.

Ms Courtney featured in the CCS film Exclusion, and said bullying is an issue that does not stop once people leave high school. "When you're in high school that's when it will be more prominent, but it's everywhere in society."

Jason Read, 23, starred in Exclusion and said Whangarei Youth Space had been the seeding "home base" in how young people should relate to each other.

Ms Courtney said: "We know that every person that steps in that building is safe from bullying and discrimination and the people there will walk alongside the community to keep that going."