Local not for profit Sticks’ n Stones is joining forces with online safety and cyberbullying prevention advocate Netsafe. 

From the beginning of term one Sticks ‘n Stones will be part of Netsafe, a strategic move to reach a national audience and combat bullying and promote digital wellbeing for youngsters. 

Founder and Sticks ‘n Stones chief executive Karla Sanders and operations lead Jennifer Huddleston will join Netsafe as employees and lead the integration work and programme expansion.

Karla said she was thrilled to join the Netsafe team from her South Island home base and bring the Sticks ‘n Stones programme to a wider national audience.

"This partnership allows us to build on the success we’ve achieved and make an even greater impact on the lives of young people across New Zealand."

"Joining forces with Netsafe provides us with the resources and support needed to take Sticks ‘n Stones to the next level. 

“Together, we can empower even more young people to stand up against bullying, share their insights and expertise about their challenges and needs, and drive positive change in their communities through authentic and inclusive collaboration.”

Netsafe’s research completed in 2018 and 2023 by economist Shamubeel Equab estimated the societal cost of cyberbullying to New Zealand is $1,071m a year, up from $444m in 2018.

Netsafe chief executive Brent Carey said combining Sticks ‘n Stone’s expertise and youth focused efforts with the expertise and reach of Netsafe will create a unique proposition.

“[We] will form a youth centric national anti-bullying force that can provide better preventive and faster and more cost effective support to youth experiencing online and offline bullying.”

Brent said building off Sticks ‘n Stones expertise working with young people in the anti-bullying space, Netsafe can significantly extend their knowledge in this area.

“It’s a significant step forward in our mission to create a safer online and offline environment for young people," said Brent.

"We are committed to amplifying the programme's impact and ensuring that its benefits are accessible to students, schools, and communities nationwide."

Netsafe is an independent, non-profit online safety organisation committed to helping people stay safe online. Netsafe provides education, resources, and support to individuals, schools, and businesses to navigate and mitigate online risks.

Sticks ‘n Stones was created in 2013 with 30 teenagers from five Central schools, after an application to a Ministry of Social Development fund for bullying prevention was successful. 

It is based on authentic partnership with children and young people, working together to create positive social change by centring their voices and lived experiences in every aspect of decision-making, including governance.

Each year, Sticks 'n Stones engages with over a thousand tamariki and rangatahi, leading the way in participatory design and active youth involvement.

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