Rod Baxter

My early years in youth work (late 90s) were shaped by experienced ABL facilitators; I’m indebted to them for a foundation in experiential education, and a bunch of wacky energisers. I also studied theatre of social change with a focus on improvisation, spontaneity, collaboration and play. 

My training approach mirrors quality youth / group work: I keep things grounded, meaningful, participatory, inclusive, and purposeful. We’ll get connected, form relationships, identify our collective goals, achieve our purpose, and exceed expectations. Time flies and we’ll want to keep learning. Hopefully there’s lots of laughter. 

As Tangata Tiriti, I’m committed to exploring bicultural approaches to learning and growing that have reciprocal and collective benefits. Kei te ako ahau i te reo Māori, ā, ka kōrero au i ngā wānanga. 

Get ready for: reflective feeling cards, felt pens, post-it notes, whiteboard diagrams, PowerPoints that won’t make you snooze, moving around often, small group activities, throwing around soft toys, Lego, hula hoops, rubber chickens, Mr Potato Head, buckets, ping pong balls, pool noodles, and other random junk that I’m recycling. I really want to find a eco-friendly alternative to balloons.