PĀNUI
NEWS
WHAIORA STORIES: LYN'S JOURNEY!
17 / 02 / 2025
Lyn’s story is one of strength, change, and, ultimately, self-discovery. Originally from the East Coast of Gisborne, she whakapapas to Tūhoe, Ngāti Porou, and Te Aitanga-a-Māhaki. Though raised in Wellington, she moved to Christchurch nearly four years ago, drawn by love and the promise of a fresh start.
First Steps
Like many, Lyn’s path hasn’t been easy. A toxic relationship left scars, and in its aftermath, she turned to alcohol and substances to numb the pain.
“At first, I just drank to escape. Then came the weed and psychedelics, and before I knew it, I was slipping into habits that weren’t me. I was unhealthy, angry, and quick-tempered. One day, I looked in the mirror and thought, ‘I’m done. I’m done hating myself. I’m done not being the mum my son deserves.’”
Determined to make a change, Carolyn sought help through another organization, which referred her to He Waka Tapu. However, committing wasn’t easy.
“I mucked my kaimahi around for two months—missing appointments and making excuses. One day, he told me straight: ‘If you keep no-showing, I’ll have to discharge you—and I don’t want to do that.’ That hit me. I knew I had to do something.”
That same day, the universe sent her a sign. Whilst going to buy alcohol at the supermarket, she overheard a man talking about his stolen bike—a gift to himself for four years of sobriety.
“I’m nosey, so I asked what happened. We got talking, and he told me about his journey with He Waka Tapu. When I mentioned I’d been meaning to go to Relapse Prevention, he just looked at me and said, ‘I expect to see you there on Thursday.’ That was it. That was the push I needed.”
Since that moment, Carolyn has fully embraced her journey.
“I mucked my kaimahi around for two months—missing appointments and making excuses. One day, he told me straight: ‘If you keep no-showing, I’ll have to discharge you—and I don’t want to do that.’ That hit me. I knew I had to do something.”
Empowering Healing Through Identity.
“I truly believe that wasn’t just chance. The universe didn’t just send me someone who had been there, it sent me another drinker, someone who understood exactly where I was at. That told me there was something bigger at play, that I was meant to be on this path.”
Reconnecting with her Māoritanga has been a key part of her healing. As a child, her parents discouraged learning te reo and kapa haka, leaving a void she only later realized needed to be filled.
“This is my happy place now! learning te reo, getting involved in kapa haka, waiata. It lifts my spirit. I love being Māori, now that I’m learning what that really means.”
Addiction was a part of Carolyn’s life for 25 years. Now, her reality looks completely different.
She has stable housing at Ahikā and is working toward homeownership, something she once never thought possible.
“I never thought beyond my own needs before. Now, I think about what this means for my son. That’s a first for me.”
She also has a dream of giving back and using her experiences to help others in recovery. She foresees a future where she can blend her passion for gardening and the outdoors into a career that supports others on their journey.
“I want to be around to help people like me. I want to give back, especially to the Waka. That’s what my future looks like. And I can’t wait.”
Reaching Out.
For those considering their own recovery, Lyn has a simple piece of advice: “Reach out. Talk to your doctors, counsellors, find something that works for you. This is my fourth time round, and I finally found something that works for me. There’s something out there for everyone; you just have to go out and find it.”
Most importantly, she urges whānau to do it for themselves. “Not for your mum, your kids, or anyone else. Do it for you. Because until you take care of yourself, you can’t take care of anyone else.”
Looking ahead, Carolyn is filled with hope and promise.
“I want to be around to help people like me. I want to give back, especially to the Waka. That’s what my future looks like. And I can’t wait.”
