White Ribbon Riders spread message

KELLY LONEY/ Taranaki Daily News

TOUGH GUYS: From left, Patriot Scott Rowe, of Inglewood, sharemilker Steven Sole, of Manaia, and Super Maori Fullas brother Merv Rawhiri spread the non-violence message.

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The White Ribbon Ride rolled into Hawera yesterday, the first Taranaki stop of a tour to spread the word that violence against women and children is not OK.

The ride, organised by the Families Commission as part of the White Ribbon campaign, started in Wellington and took four separate routes through the eastern, western and central North Island.

The West Wind ride came through Wanganui to be welcomed at the Ngati Ruanui offices in Hawera before heading up to Puke Ariki in New Plymouth and last night at Owae Marae in Waitara.

Men and women along all the routes were invited to join in on their motorbikes if they pledged never to condone violence against women and children.

There were more than a dozen riders in Hawera but as the weather forecast was for sun the group was expecting more riders to join in.

The West Wind ride would go through Mokau this morning then Te Kuiti, Te Awamutu and Hamilton before merging with the other three rides at Auckland's ASB Bank Stadium tomorrow.

The Patriot Motorcycle Club, whose members are from current and retired Defence Force personnel, and the Super Maori Fullas are leading the campaign.

One of the four Super Maori Fullas brothers, Merv Rawhiri, said the ride was a chance for New Zealand men to show unity and intolerance of violence against women and children.

"They hear our Harleys coming and they hear our message that we look after our women, we don't hurt them."

On Saturday riders will meet at Bream Bay at Ruakaka and visit seven Northland communities where men will speak about their attitudes to violence, women and children.

To join the ride, riders must have a valid licence and a registered bike over 250cc.

In New Plymouth a woman who had lived in a physically and emotionally violent relationship for more than eight years said bringing the problem of family violence into the open was key.

"Because for me there was a lot of shame that went with it. I felt I had to make excuses for his behaviour but if things like this had brought it out in the open then I would have found help earlier." The woman, who would only be identified as Samantha, said talking about the experiences she tried so long to hide was great weight off her shoulders.

- © Fairfax NZ News