Brooke McGhie, Head Manukura at Ōrewa College, shares her journey with SADD and passion for youth-led advocacy.

Ōrewa College Head Girl uses her platform to drive change for safer roads and stronger communities

Brooke McGhie is in her final year at Ōrewa College and she’s making it count. As Head Girl and the leading force behind the kura’s Students Against Dangerous Driving (SADD) group, she’s helping shift the culture around road safety.

Brooke joined SADD in Year 10. “I silently joined the meetings and let the seniors take charge,” she recalls. “When I became a senior, I knew I could be the change that my community needed.” She stepped up, became more vocal, and by Year 12 earned a place as a SADD national leader.

Now in Year 13, she’s helping lead initiatives like student road patrols, peer education, and school-wide awareness campaigns. She’s also taken the message beyond the gates appearing on 3News to highlight the risks of using social media while driving.

Brooke’s efforts were featured in Hibiscus Matters in in a feature on how student volunteers inspire change, highlighting how Brooke and other young people are stepping up to lead and make a difference through school and community-based volunteering.

She also shared her story in the SADD National Blog, reflecting on what drives her: “To me, road safety is more than just rules or regulations. It’s about protecting lives and empowering young people to make choices that reflect care for themselves and their communities.”

When asked what she’d say to others thinking about joining SADD, Brooke is clear: “Just do it! SADD gives you the tools, support, and platform to turn your ideas into action. You don’t need to have all the answers, just a willingness to learn, lead, and be brave enough to believe you can make a difference.”

Ka rawe, Brooke. You’re not just representing your kura, you’re representing youth leadership at its best.

📷 Photo credit: Brooke McGhie, SADD Conference