New Zealand

Promise:

There is only one Promise made by all girls (except Pippins) and adults:

I promise with the help of my God,
to be true to myself,
to do my best:
to help my country,
and
To live by the Guide Law.

Law:

As a Guide I will try to:

• be honest and trustworthy
• be friendly and cheerful
• be a good team member
• be responsible for what I say and do
• respect and help other people
• use my time and abilities wisely
• face challenges and learn from experience and
• care for the environment

Motto:

Brownie and Guide Motto - Be Prepared

Pippin Saying - Pippins care, so Pippins share with other children everywhere.

Age groups:

Pippins 5-6 years

Brownies 7-9 ½ years

Guides 9 ½ -Year 9

Rangers Year 9-18 years

Development of the movement:

GirlGuiding New Zealand was incorporated in 1923 from the Girl Peace Scouts, which started in 1908. In 1928 GirlGuiding New Zealand became a founder member of WAGGGS. Despite competition from a huge range of leisure and sporting activities, Guiding remains popular.

GirlGuiding New Zealand is interpreted in the New Zealand Maori language as Nga Kohine Whakamahiri o Aotearoa. GirlGuiding New Zealand has a policy of including Maori (an official language of Aotearoa New Zealand) in headings in its printed materials, as part of its move towards fuller recognition of the 1840 Treaty of Waitangi between Maori, who are the first people (or tangata whenua) of New Zealand, and the people of many other nations who have settled in New Zealand in the last three centuries.

Since 1957 members have sold Guide biscuits which help to make up over 50% of its income and maintain the profile of Guiding in the community. GirlGuiding NZ is a registered charity in New Zealand, Registered Number CC22069.

Programme:

The New Zealand programme enables girls to develop their potential through participation in a wide range of activities, fun and service.

The programme goal is to provide a diverse, stimulating and challenging programme for girls aged 5-18. Section programmes are reviewed regularly. GirlGuiding New Zealand has a stated objective to encourage wide, and ever increasing, consultation with girls on their choice of programme activities, from Pippins to Rangers.

Members with special needs are integrated into regular units if possible and are encouraged to participate as fully as they are able in all aspects of the programme, including camping where they are assigned a special buddy.

Pippins which began in 1984, is an informal programme where five and six year olds are encouraged to develop an awareness of themselves, other people and the world around them. Groups work closely with families, and girls work in a supervised and supportive atmosphere. Pippins do not make a Promise but their saying: Pippins care, so Pippins share with other people everywhere.

This reflects the emphasis on self, others and environment.

Brownie and Guide programmes emphasise personal development and independence through the patrol system. Girls choose their own activities from a wide range within the framework of their programmes. These individual options, combined with a progressive badge system, give them opportunities to widen their leisure interests and pursuits, gain leadership skills and share in discovering the fun and challenge of new opportunities, both indoors and out.

The Ranger programme expands the range of opportunities, and members plan and carry out their own programmes and assess their own progress. Rangers with an interest in leadership can be RILs (Rangers in Leadership) and work towards leaders’ qualifications in addition to the ranger programme.
Activities are based on a wide range of experiences which enhance all round development and emphasise an active role in the wider community. Further opportunities can include sailing on the sailing ship Spirit of New Zealand, flying, caving, skiing, scuba and canoeing schools, visits to Antarctica, the Hillary Award Programme of the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award and the opportunity to work for the highest achievement, the Queen’s Guide Award.

The Lone scheme is for girls in all sections who because of studies, isolation or any other reason, cannot join an ordinary unit. The programmes used are the same as in active units except that most of the programme is carried out through communication methods such as phone, web or email. Whenever possible, Lones take the opportunity to meet for gatherings and camps.

Relationship to society:

Community service is an important part of the GirlGuiding New Zealand programme. Visiting and entertaining the elderly is one of the most popular activities for all age groups, as is helping other groups in the community. Anzac Day, 25 April, is also a very important day in the calendar as girls honour and remember those who have served their country in the armed forces.

Communication and Co-operation

International friendships and contacts with other countries are greatly encouraged, and increasing numbers of leaders and girls attend gatherings, camps and conferences overseas. Scholarships and funding are sometimes available to assist with travel costs. GirlGuiding New Zealand also welcomes other WAGGGS members to major events and training.

Members are strongly encouraged to support WAGGGS initiatives. An ongoing environmental project, with a different emphasis each year, has been developed as part of the WAGGGS Building World Citizenship initiative. Mutual Aid projects, Four World Centres, Penfriend Secretary and World Thinking Day are also well supported.

GirlGuiding New Zealand co-operates closely with other youth organisations, particularly Scouting New Zealand, and with the Ministry of Youth Affairs and other relevant government agencies. They are also working with the New Zealand Qualifications Authority to ensure that recognition is given to Guiding qualifications in the educational area and GirlGuiding New Zealand is already registered as a Private Training Establishment.

The annual publication Te Rama, is for all stakeholders and our in-house publication Te Korero is published every second month for all adult members. This includes information on local events, training and other news.
The views of rangers and young leaders are promoted through regional youth councils in each of the 21 regions. Young Leaders are funded to attend an annual young leaders weekend event and delegates to the National Forum (the governing body), must include a youth delegate.

As a further means of ensuring that young people’s views are heard, GirlGuiding New Zealand has a policy that every national committee should have at least one member who is under the age of 30.

Training:

A range of training opportunities and workshops are provided for adult leaders, and there are a number of residential training centres throughout the country. Alternative methods of training delivery are used including telephone conference calls, and webinars.

The three-stage Leadership Development Programme (Kaupapa Arahi a Nga Kohine Whakamahiri o Aotearoa) covers the requirements for both Leaders of Girls and Leaders of Adults. This programme supports leaders to continue to build their knowledge and skills. The programme recognises prior competency and requires leaders to demonstrate their knowledge and skills at all levels.

Workshops and events address the development needs of a diverse range of leaders including an annual Young Leaders Event and GANAPATI, an occasional specialised training and camp, for young leaders working with special-needs participants in Guiding and outside organisations
New Zealand trainers continue to play a role as WAGGGS accredited trainers in the Asia Pacific region, particularly in the South Pacific.

Outdoor and Environmental Activities

Outdoor activities, including hiking, water activities and camping, are favourites among New Zealand girls. Easy access to the outdoors including mountains, lakes, rivers and the seashore, enables all to participate in exciting and challenging outdoor programmes. It is a programme objective for all units to have 50 per cent or more of their programme outdoors.

GirlGuiding New Zealand has a commitment to valuing and conserving the environment, and programmes reinforce this. Nationally and locally, girls are involved in conservation and anti-litter campaigns, and the observation of special national events including participation in Conservation Week each August.

In their own communities girls have taken responsibility for cleaning and beautifying beaches, parks and other public places. Nationally, GirlGuiding New Zealand takes a major role in conservation and environmental projects such as fundraising to save rare and endangered species for which they receive Government recognition with the Green Ribbon Award.

Projects

• Gat Programme Taskforce
• Pink Star Challenge
• Fundraising
• Life Skills Programme For At-Risk Girls