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The White Ribbon campaign in New Zealand is a meld of the White Ribbon Day movement in Canada and the United Nations international day for Elimination of Violence Against Women which is celebrated on 25 November each year.

The campaign is driven by community groups in towns and cities throughout New Zealand and is rapidly becoming part of the annual events calendar. White Ribbon Day events and activities are being increasingly supported by businesses, cultural groups, sporting teams, local government, and a wide range of community and government agencies.

1991
The first White Ribbon Campaign was launched by a group of men in Canada after the brutal mass shooting of 14 female students at the University of Montreal. WRC in Canada runs its campaign from November 25 (the International Day for the Eradication of Violence Against Women) until December 6, Canada’s National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women. Other countries support 16 Days of Action from November 25th until December 10th but campaigns can occur at any time of the year.

1999
The UN officially recognised 25th November as International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. The White Ribbon is a symbol of hope for a world where women and girls can live free from the fear of violence. Wearing the ribbon is about challenging the acceptability of violence – by getting men involved, helping women to break the silence, and encouraging everyone to come together to build a better world for all.

2004
Unifem introduced White Ribbon Day to New Zealand. Volunteers made and distributed 15,000 ribbons via women’s organisations and human rights organisations.

2006
The Families Commission embraced White Ribbon Day as part of its work to raise awareness of family violence and encourage social change. The Commission joined Women’s Refuge, National Network of Stopping Violence Services, Amnesty International, Human Rights Commission, YWCA, YMCA, Save the Children, Relationship Services in promoting the campaign. The Commission provides much of the funding and the project management for the campaign in New Zealand. In 2006, 200,000 ribbons were distributed and double that in 2007.

2008
The funding base expands, with contributions from Ministry of Health, Police, ACC, Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Education and Ministry of Social Development.

In 2008, one in 10 New Zealanders wore a white ribbon – with over 500,000 distributed around the country.

2009

During 2009 the first White Ribbon Ambassadors were appointed to provide leadership and use their public profiles and support networks to spread the White Ribbon campaign messages. Since 2009 seventeen ambassadors have come on board including Prime Minister John Key, Stan Walker, Bob Harvey and Ruben Wiki.

2010

Awareness and participation in the White Ribbon campaign continues to grow. During 2010 over 510,000 white ribbons were distributed throughout New Zealand. A number of key events were held including a cross-party MP White Ribbon Breakfast in Parliament, a White Ribbon Breakers Game in Auckland as well as 144 known community activities throughout the country. The White Ribbon ride rode through 40 North Island centres and connected with men and their communities to share stories and inspire change.