A Bridge to a Brighter Future
An innovative new peer support service for healing from alcohol and other drugs has been launched in Christchurch. But there’s even more to Te Awhina, as Ben Mack reports.
The mood in Christchurch was jubilant on February 12, as Major Sue Hay stepped up to the podium. It wasn’t just because it was a sunny, warm summer’s day: it was the launch of Te Awhina Peer Support Service.
Located at The Salvation Army Bridge at 35 Collins Street in the Christchurch suburb of Addington, Te Awhina is a peer-led service available to anyone who wants help overcoming harmful substance use. People seeking help can stay engaged with Te Awhina for as long as needed.
A peer-led service is designed and delivered by people with lived experience of addiction and meaningful recovery from alcohol and/or other drug use. Peer-led services are non-clinical in nature, and focus on fostering hope, empowerment and community connection.
Te Awhina villa opened more than 20 years ago as a daily drop-in recovery centre. About 15 years ago, Te Awhina had its first paid peer support role, assisting clinicians in helping people seeking support with the harm caused by alcohol and other drugs.
But 2025 marks Te Awhina becoming completely peer-led—a development Major Sue Hay says is one of the most exciting in the over 20 years she’s worked helping people in their journeys of recovery and wellness.
‘Peers are a tangible expression of hope for those seeking recovery from destructive substance use,’ she says.
Te Awhina’s programmes include drop-in group sessions, one-to-one counselling, aftercare support and more. Day programmes are free.
Other Salvation Army Bridge services, such as brief intervention programmes, continue to be offered in the villa next to Te Awhina, and are available to anyone who wants them. These other services are also staffed by clinicians.
Te Awhina operates in alignment with a te aō Māori worldview through the recently developed peer model Rata Kouru Ora, reflecting The Salvation Army’s commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi.
Rata Kouru Ora was developed in conjunction with Dr Andre McLachlan. It draws on The Salvation Army values of courage, compassion, innovation and connection.
‘This increased focus on peer support using a bicultural model of wellbeing will strengthen the resilience of those seeking recovery,’ says Sue.
Salvation Army National Director for Addictions and Health Michael Douglas expands on how peer support can help people overcome addictions.
‘Peer support creates a space of shared experience, empathy, understanding and hope,’ he says. ‘It makes the journey of recovery from substance-use harm less isolating.’
Salvation Army Lived Experience Lead Emma Hunter also spoke at the launch of Te Awhina, an event attended by community members, social service providers, the Minister for Mental Health, Hon. Matt Doocey, and others.
‘Our peer support mahi focuses on building mutual and reciprocal relationships through whanaungatanga, manaakitanga and aroha,’ she says.
‘We believe in the possibility of emotional, social, spiritual and physical wellbeing for all. Rata Kouru Ora views people’s past decisions, experiences and consequences not as problems, but as resources in one’s toolkit,’ explains Emma.
‘It is an opportunity to move beyond labels, diagnoses and trauma, while focusing on bringing about positive changes that our peers have decided they would like for their own life.’
Peer support can be especially helpful for people addressing the challenges that come with substance use, because it can show them that they aren’t alone in their challenges—that there are other people who have had the same challenges and been able to work to become healthier.
‘Peer support isn’t about having all the answers,’ says Emma. ‘It’s about having the heart to ask, “How can I walk with you today?” and the courage to keep showing up, time and again.’
The launch of Te Awhina comes as alcohol and drug harm continues to be a big problem across Aotearoa New Zealand. The State of the Nation 2025 report—an annual report put together by The Salvation Army’s Social Policy and Parliamentary Unit (SPPU) using publicly-available data—reveals one in six people are now drinking in a way that is dangerous to themselves and others. Methamphetamine use now causes $34 million in social harm weekly—and more than $1 billion in social harm annually.
Amid this, Emma has high hopes for what Te Awhina can do in transforming people’s lives for the better: ‘Te Awhina is not just a service. It provides a space of hope, a testament to the resilience of the human spirit, and a powerful reminder that recovery is not only possible but probable. We see the embodiment of courage, wisdom and the unwavering belief that our journeys, with all of their challenges and triumphs, can light the way for others.’
More information about Te Awhina and the Christchurch Bridge programme is available by calling 03 338 4436, emailing [email protected] or visiting bridge.salvationarmy.org.nz.
