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Smiles of success
Smiling faces and gleaming trophies are proof of the success of the Maungarei Cadet Unit unit in Panmure.
Unit commander Ian Anderson talks with pride of the 40 unit-strong cadets aged from 13 to 20. He says about 95 percent of the cadets are from Housing New Zealand homes in the Panmure-Glen Innes area.
Home base for the unit is a former bowling club and green. The grounds provide an ideal area for drill practice, which sees neighbours heads popping over the fence during this time.
Ian says the young people thrive in the disciplined atmosphere where they learn a variety of skills. Drill, bush craft, weather- reading, first aid, citizen training, radio procedure, navigation, dress and bearing, weapon safety and communication such as CV writing are taught.
“They learn accountability and responsibility for themselves and others. We teach personal discipline in a team environment.
We produce cadets who are proud, alert and obedient. This forms the basis of all team work,” he said.
“There is rank and structure, they can earn the right to progress. Cadets learn the life skills they need to be able to succeed. We teach them it's okay to ask and okay to show initiative.“
Outdoor activities have taken cadets to Whatipu, Huia, the Waitakeres and Woodhill Forest as well as further afield to the Nelson Lakes and Turangi.
The unit also plays a role in the local community. One occasion an overgrown garden was cleared for an elderly woman, they have collected for the RSA on Poppy Day, marched in the local Anzac Parade and provided security and rubbish collection for a Housing New Zealand - funded community festival last year.
As the new Zealand Cadet Corps has New Zealand Qualification Authority status, cadets can earn credits towards NCEA qualification.
The unit has seen young people plan futures that involve university or trade training, a career in medicine, police or to apply to join the armed forces.
When asked what he has liked most about his two years with the Cadet Corps, 15-year-old Manu Akau smiled broadly and said:
“It's given me heaps of opportunities.”
Phillip Kahui said the unit had helped “get me on the right track.” He is enjoying his successes in the unit and added: “In the real world they don't take second best.”
