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Te Wharepiki Wairua Mana Wāhine Award 2024

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Renee Johnson (Ngā Puhi and Pākehā) graduated from the Alcohol and Other Drug Treatment Court (Te Wharepiki Wairua) in 2019 and is living in Kaitaia. 

Since graduation, Renee has completed her level 4 certificate in peer support and she works for the Salvation Army in Kaitaia. A key focus of their work is to work collaboratively with the DBH and the police around the reduction of the use of methamphetamine in the Northland community.

She is now further advancing her studies by currently undertaking her three year bachelor’s degree in counselling (Level 7) with MIT (through the Ōtara campus). Renee is also studying a Reo Māori Course and her son attends a Māori immersion kura.

Renee also gives service to other recovery agencies in Northland, including at ‘Waitomo’, ‘He Waka Eke Noa’ and at ‘The hub’. 

After Renee graduated from the court she has called in to visit the Court on occasions when in Auckland and she also features in both of the AODTC graduate videos.

Renee’s goal after completing her studies is to return to Auckland saying that she wants to give back to the community she feels she took a lot from in her days of using and offending.

Angela is pictured with Judge Lisa Tremewan (green blazer) and Nina Tomaszyk (Manager of the Kate Edger Foundation in striped blazer) with other judges, Court staff, a graduate and Chair of the Kate Edger Foundation, Stephanie Harris (blue top and blazer).

Thanks to Timeless Images Photography.