A GROUP of young people have enjoyed a memorable and transformative journey to New Zealand, Led by Plan International.

The group from Ysgol Greenhill, Tenby, supported by Youth Workers from Pembrokeshire Youth Service, went on the extraordinary educational and cultural adventure as part of their We Know, Our Journey Youth project.

The project was fully funded by Taith, a Welsh Government initiative which aims to create life-changing opportunities to learn, study and volunteer all over the world.
The trip aimed to broaden horizons, foster personal growth, and deepen understanding of gender-based violence and its global impact.

The group were invited as recognition of their hard work and dedication to addressing gender-based violence within their community.

During their two-week journey, the group immersed themselves in the stunning landscapes and rich culture, including visits to Auckland, Rotarua, Waitomo, Taupo and Hamilton.

The group spent time in Auckland, where they embarked on a bus tour, exploring the city’s vibrant culture, stunning harbour, and diverse neighbourhoods. They also ventured to the Waitomo Glow-worm Caves, and learned about the local Māori culture.

In Rotorua, the group experienced the thrill of the Skyline Luge and Gondola, offering panoramic views of the city. They participated in a traditional Māori culture evening, learning the rich history and customs of the Mitai Māori people.

The group also spent time at Blue Light camps, engaging in outdoor activities and team-building exercises. Blue light works in partnership with the police to deliver a range of youth programmes and activities, to reduce the incidence of young people becoming an offender or victim of crime, and encourage better relations in the community.

At Lake Taupo, they enjoyed a boat cruise, admiring the stunning scenery and ancient Māori rock carvings.

The group visited Hamilton Zoo and explored the stunning Huka Falls, a picturesque waterfall.
Throughout their journey, the group participated in meetings with organisations working to address gender-based violence.

The groups heard what organisations were doing and also had the opportunity to present what they are doing in Wales.

One such organisation was LeVa, where they experienced a warm Somali welcome and immersed themselves in Somali culture. The day was inspirational, insightful and filled with emotion.

The group also had the opportunity to spend a day with New Zealand Rugby, learning about their initiatives to promote gender equity and positive social change within the sport and the broader community.

The group also met with Dear Em whom are a strong, driven group providing safe spaces for women and girls to have a voice in New Zealand.

The group has formed a new collective, “Our Voice Our Journey,” and plans to continue their work on gender-based violence back in Wales.

The experience has empowered these young people to become leaders in their community, advocating for gender equality and working towards a brighter future for all.

One member of the group, said: “Going to New Zealand helped me get a more positive mind-set, by seeing how other organisations across the world also wanted to prevent violence, it made me realise we are all in it together.

THE FORMER leader of Pembrokeshire County council is to ask the current administration why pupils in the county were not allowed to take part in the ‘wellies to school’ protest against changes to inheritance tax on agricultural property.

The wellies to school spectacle was part of a wider November 19 protest, led by the National Farmers’ Union (NFU), held in response to the UK Government’s budget.

At the Budget, Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced farmers would have to pay inheritance tax on agricultural property and land worth more than £1 million at a rate of 20 per cent, with a £3m threshold for couples passing on their farms.

This compares to a 40 per cent rate on other estates.

However, Pembrokeshire schools were not allowed to engage in the wellies to school message.

A spokesperson for Pembrokeshire County Council said at the time: “The Education Act 1996 clearly prohibits practitioners from promoting partisan political views, and therefore, our schools are not permitted to promote the farmers’ protest taking place in London today.”

Former council leader Cllr Jamie Adams is now asking why the decision was taken.

In a question submitted to the December meeting of Pembrokeshire County Council, Cllr Jamie Adams says: “The recent spectacle of children wearing wellies to school on November 19, served as a powerful message that rural communities are concerned about the long-term sustainability of agriculture following the Government’s alterations to Agricultural Inheritance Tax.

“This widespread industry underpins the economy, social fabric, community cohesion and in many parts the Welsh language here in Pembrokeshire as much as any rural county due to the high prevalence of family farms.

“It was therefore concerning to hear that Pembrokeshire Local Education Authority sought to prevent children from overtly demonstrating their support by this action deeming it as ‘political’.

“I would therefore like to ask the Leader [Cllr Jon Harvey] how this position was adopted and who actually made the decision?”

Cllr Adams’ question will be heard at the December 12 meeting. 

A CALL for an update on a south Pembrokeshire school and the timeline for its rebuild more than two years after it was devastated by fire is to be heard later this week.

Manorbier Church in Wales VC School and its adjoining schoolhouse was severely damaged by a fire on October 11, 2022, which broke out in the school roof space.

Pupils and staff were successfully evacuated with no injuries, and a ‘school from school’ was set up in Jameston Village Hall, after a brief period of sanctuary at the nearby Buttyland caravan site.

Pembrokeshire County Council’s insurers have previously said the fire was accidentally started while ‘hot works’ were being carried out by contractors to renew an adjacent flat roof, but, as has previously been stressed, no liability has been accepted to date.

Councillors have previously heard the majority of costs were likely to be met from the council’s insurers, with the caveat of the unknown issue of liability and its effect on a £200,000 insurance excess.

They have also been told that, if liability was found or accepted, the council would “pursue for the full maximum claim of the costs associated with the fire”.

In a question submitted to Pembrokeshire County Council ahead of its full council meeting of December 12, local councillor Cllr Phil Kidney asks: “Manorbier School was subject to a serious fire in October 2022, so serious that the school premises has not been used since.

“At Schools O&S on February 6, 2023, Manorbier school was discussed and Councillor Stoddart queried the possibility of the contractor insurance covering the cost of the rebuild, to which the cabinet member advised, legal discussions were ongoing.

“At full council on October 12, 2023, Councillor Aled Thomas asked: ‘had the Authority been successful in recouping any of the £200,000 insurance excess that PCC had to bear.’

“At the same meeting I asked a question requesting an update on the rebuild of Manorbier School and was informed by the Cabinet Member that it would be included as part of a business case for further consideration by Cabinet.

“Over two years have now lapsed, since the fire and considerable disruption it has caused to the school and community, therefore could full council be provided with a full update with regards to the insurance claim in respect of the school fire and some timelines for the rebuild?”

Cllr Kidney’s question will be heard at the December 12 meeting.