Hamilton to host White Ribbon Cup final

There's no room for violence on or off the field

March 19, 2012

Waikato FC will host the final of the White Ribbon Cup against Team Wellington at Hamilton’s Gower Park on Sunday April 1.

Waikato’s 3-1 over YoungHeart Manawatu in Taupo on Saturday confirmed their place in the final after an earlier win over Hawke’s Bay United while Team Wellington earned their shot with wins over Canterbury United and Otago United it the southern conference.

The competition was introduced this season to provide meaningful competition to ASB Premiership sides not involved in OFC Champions League football and supports White Ribbon, a campaign to raise awareness of men’s violence against women – which in New Zealand is generally directed at wives, girlfriends and other intimate partners.

The White Ribbon Cup final comes amidst a busy weekend for football in New Zealand with the Football Ferns taking on Papua New Guinea in the first leg of the OFC Women’s Olympic final qualifier in Whangarei on Saturday and Wellington Phoenix scheduled to host a knockout semi-final in the first round of the A-league playoffs that weekend.

The final round of the O-League is also scheduled for Saturday with Auckland City already confirmed of a place in the final but Waitakere United still chasing the other spot.

“Hosting the White Ribbon Cup final in Hamilton is a another opportunity to take a football event around the country,” said Grant McKavanagh, “and a chance to raise awareness of the White Ribbon campaign and the powerful work it does in helping men put an end to domestic violence.”

A win for either White Ribbon finalist will mark their first ever silverware although Team Wellington is eyeing a double having also made the semi finals of the ASB Premiership which begin on April 15.

White Ribbon Ambassador launches ‘Helen, the Helen Meads Tragedy’

Father launches book about murdered daughter

12 March 2012

On the morning of 23 September 2009 Helen Meads was murdered by her husband Greg at the stables on their Matamata farm. It was the final chapter in years of control and abuse.

David White holds the blessed copy of 'Helen, The Helen Meads Tragedy'

The White Ribbon Campaign and Women’s Refuge hosted the launch of White Ribbon Ambassador David White’s book, Helen, the Helen Meads Tragedy at an event at Te Puni Kōkiri, where David spoke alongside Women’s Refuge Chief Executive Heather Henare and the White Ribbon Committee Chairperson, Brian Gardner from the National Network of Stopping Violence Services.

“I’m proud of my daughter Helen,” says David. “She was a wonderful person who was cut down in the prime of her life by a controlling and violent person. There is some justice in knowing that Helen’s killer is behind bars, but I need to do more than that. I need to make sense of the awful situation we found ourselves in, and do my part to ensure the violence against women is both understood and ended.

“This book is an attempt to shine the light on abusive relationships. As parents Pam and I didn’t recognise the warning signs, we didn’t know what to do, and tragically, neither did our daughter. If we had known to look on the Women’s Refuge site, Helen would have understood that the most dangerous time is when you are leaving an abusive relationship.”

Panel discussion with Heather, David and Brian

Women’s Refuge Chief Executive, Heather Henare agrees. “Too often women are not aware of the warning signs, and friends and/or family don’t know how to help. That Helen was killed so close to leaving and starting a new life is a tragedy, one that repeats too often across New Zealand.

“This book exposes the behaviour that Helen’s husband used to control the relationship. By working with David, we can give a voice to Helen and help prevent further heartache,” says Ms Henare.

The White Ribbon Campaign hopes to use the book to educate men. Families Commission White Ribbon Campaign Manager, Rob McCann explains: “Too often people see violence in New Zealand as something that occurs within Maori, Pacific and lower socio economic groups. The fact is, violence occurs across all sectors of New Zealand, and affects all parts of our society.

Two guests make a purchase

“David’s book shows us a glimpse of the violence perpetrated by a wealthy man. It details how that violence was hidden until the tragic murder made headline news. David describes how lawyers become actively involved, spinning the truth to normalise, minimise and then portray the perpetrator as the victim.”

“That Helen had been treated in hospital for a previous brutal beating was a secret. It was a secret she may have kept because she didn’t see people she related to on the television or in the newspapers. She didn’t see herself as being affected by family violence. We hope this book will shatter that illusion,” said Mr McCann.

• David White is a White Ribbon Ambassador and proud supporter of Women’s Refuge.
• Interviews are available through the Families Commission.
• Helen, the Helen Meads Tragedy (David Ling Publishing) is onsale at all good bookstores.

Contact:
Rob McCann
White Ribbon Campaign Manager
04 917 7045 or 029 917 7045
rob.mccann@nzfamilies.org.nz

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Coordinated Community Response Training

In the past decade, a range of community and government interagency initiatives have been developed across Aotearoa / New Zealand to address domestic violence. Responses such as the Family Violence Interagency Response System, Police safety teams and a number of other interagency initiatives have been introduced with the purpose of providing an effective co-ordinated response. Experience and research tells us that successful interagency responses increase the safety and wellbeing of individuals, whānau, families and communities.

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Graham Barnes

So what is it that makes a real difference? How do we measure success?
Te Kupenga (the National Network of Stopping Violence Services) in partnership with Women’s Refuge and assisted by government partners, is pleased to announce that Graham Barnes from the Battered Women Justice Project in Minneapolis, Minnesota, will deliver a series of training workshops on Effective Co-ordinated Community Responses (CCR) to Domestic Violence. Graham has worked in the area of domestic violence for 20 years in New Zealand and internationally, focusing on co-ordinated community responses. He is currently a resource specialist with the Battered Women Justice Project and part of a multi-disciplinary team that provides technical assistance across USA to communities that have successfully obtained grants from the Department of Justice’s Federal Violence Against Women Office. Graham works closely with community organisations, law enforcement, prosecution, corrections, courts, judiciary and the US military

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Co-ordinated Community Response Model
The CCR model is much more than a networking opportunity. It potentially links government and community agencies into a seamless response to domestic violence intervention. It draws on experience gained in Duluth, Minnesota, and other progressive cities in America who have used a systemic change perspective to address domestic violence in their communities. This workshop will provide participants with:

• Information, resources and case studies on providing effective, seamless, interagency responses to domestic violence.
• An understanding of the diverse experiences of victims of violence and how to maximise their safety and autonomy.
• How to use effective interagency processes to hold offenders accountable for their violence and engage them in a change process.
• How risk assessment can be built into case management.
• A mechanism to track case outcomes.
• Experience on how to constructively solve problems common to co-ordinated interagency responses.
• A range of resources to support the development of interagency groups.

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Dates:

WELLINGTON: April 24 2012 Rydges Hotel, 75 Featherston Street
AUCKLAND: April 26 2012 Cliftons 45 Queen Street
HAMILTON: April 30 2012 The Verandah Function Centre, Lake Domain Drive
CHRISTCHURCH: May 2 2012 Riccarton Park Function Centre, 165 Riccarton Road

Download information and registration form

March edition of the White Ribbon Newsletter

Download the March Newsletter

March Newsletter 2012

Welcome to the first newsletter for 2012. And what a busy start it’s been so far! After each campaign we conduct an extensive review to ensure that we are providing the right support for communities to engage in raising awareness and getting men to take action.

With all the feedback received and debriefs complete, we have put together an interesting report on the 2011 campaign. Like all White Ribbon campaign material, there’s very little technical jargon except where absolutely necessary, so have a read here.

Download the March edition of the newsletter here.

Launch of ‘Helen, the Helen Meads Tragedy’

David White (photo thanks to Ken Downie)

David White

David’s daughter, Helen Meads, was killed by her husband in their Matamata family home in September 2009. Helen was the victim of years of abuse and violence from her husband.

Having seen what Helen experienced, David agreed to become an White Ribbon Ambassador in 2011 and has now written a book, ‘Helen, the Helen Meads Tragedy’.

If you would like to come to the book launch hosted by White Ribbon and Women’s Refuge on 12 March at Te Puni Kōkiri in Wellington starting at 4:30pm, please email penny.dring-aust@nzfamilies.org.nz

This is a fantastic opportunity to hear David speak and listen to a panel discussion with David and Women’s Refuge Chief Executive Heather Henare, and the White Ribbon Committee Chairperson Brian Gardner from the National Network of Stopping Violence Services. Please note spaces are limited.

If you have a question you would like David or the other members of the panel to answer, please use this email link and we will put the question to the panellists. Answers will also be made available on the White Ribbon Website.

Helen, the Helen Meads Tragedy published by David Ling Publishing

The Book

David White describes the events of that day, and what led to it, and tells of the ordeals that a family is subjected to when one of their own is murdered. It is a poignant and compelling story. There are issues of custody, access and bail, and looming court appearances. And often, as in this case, there is the killer’s family to deal with. Finally, there is also the bureaucracy and the media that have to be faced and accepted as inevitable intrusions on the private lives of the victim’s families – families who would prefer to be left alone to grieve.

Now that the trial and sentencing have been completed, much more can be told.

David White was born in Pahiatua in 1944 and attended schools there and in Raumati, and was a founding student of Kapiti College. On leaving school, he took a temporary job at Whitcombe and Tombs (now Whitcoulls) and stayed with books, working for publishers and retail booksellers. He retired after selling the Highland Park Bookshop. He now lives in Matamata with his wife Pam. Until the death of his daughter Helen, his retirement consisted of driving a milk tanker for nine months of the year, and fulfilling dreams for the other three. Now responsible for his grandchildren, he is also actively involved in the prevention of violence towards women.

David White explains. “Our daughter was murdered by her husband in 2009. It was a disgusting end to her brutal marriage. All too common these days; so common, in fact, that domestic abuse cases don’t always make it into the media; so common that when you see a headline you won’t bother reading the article. Your mind has already assumed that this is the type of violence that doesn’t affect us.”

“But is does. Violence occurs across all cultures and all socio-economic groups. Our daughter was married to a very wealthy man. The type of man who could buy silence through his money, and he was assisted by those who stood by, looking, but not seeing.”

David has assisted Women’s Refuge with fund-raising and has various projects lined up for 2012. He became a White Ribbon Ambassador and believes passionately that we all have a role to play in reducing and ending this violence.

“By becoming a White Ribbon Ambassador and wearing a white ribbon, I’m saying I want to make a difference. The question is – what type of man are you?” asks David.

“You can help to end the silence by participating in supporting White Ribbon to educate men and help raise our collective voice and say once and for all, that this country and its men, reject violence against women.”

White Ribbon Report for 2011

White Ribbon report for the 2011 campaign

WHITE RIBBON REPORT 2011

Each year a full report is produced to report back to our stakeholders. Please download the full report here or read the ‘Introduction’, ‘Summary’ or ‘Conclusion’ on this page.

Introduction

White Ribbon is a campaign to change attitudes and behaviours around men’s violence to women. It began in Canada in 1991 when the murders of 14 women prompted a response which set in motion a worldwide movement, bolstered by a United Nations’ endorsement in 1999. UNIFEM brought White Ribbon to New Zealand in 2004. The Families Commission took the lead role in 2006, working alongside the White Ribbon Committee. White Ribbon now forms part of the Families Commission’s response to family violence and became a campaign in 2009.

In New Zealand, most serious intimate partner violence is perpetrated by men against women, with the costs associated with family violence estimated at between $1.2 and $5.8 billon each year. The White Ribbon Campaign proposes that men should talk to men in ways that men understand, to effectively capture their attention and present men as part of the solution.

The campaign aims to create a new norm, where violence against women is considered unacceptable, while creating a new narrative of ‘men without violence’. In order to achieve these goals, unique and vibrant campaign projects were created that emphasised the best aspects of masculinity.

Summary of the 2011 Campaign

Nowhere is this better exemplified than in the White Ribbon Ride, which in 2011 visited more than 80 communities throughout the country, including schools and prisons. Men from the Patriots Defence Force Motorcycle Club (whose members are former and current members of the defence services) and Te Ahi Kikoha (a group of Māori health professionals) deliver the campaign messages at a wide range of pre-planned, community events. This project helped to attract record press coverage.

The addition of Te Ahi Kikoha, the inclusion of Iwi in the South Island Ride, the production of Māori designed Metal bages, and the incorporation of tikanaga within the White Ribbon Kaupapa has also strengthened the White Ribbon, while helping to grow the existing connections the campaign has with Māori.

Other projects which complement the Ride include the White Ribbon Ambassadors project, with representatives drawn from prominent and local, anti-violence crusaders; the Newspaper Pledge Project, which published hundreds of men’s signatures pledging support for the Campaign; and the Giant White Ribbon Pledge Project which joined 60 white ribbon panels and sent them around the country, attracting thousands of signatures, and made into a giant white ribbon which will be displayed throughout New Zealand in 2012.

The projects were supported by an extensive media component that utilised both traditional and new media. Record coverage was generated through the projects such as the Ride where the campaign worked with over 80 communities throughout New Zealand. The reach of physical events was significantly enhanced by the use of social media, which connected with over 7000 Facebook users per day, at the height of the campaign. The White Ribbon website attracted a record 58,910 hits, providing indepth, family violence information and support to communities; monthly newsletters energised and informed the community.

Free resources (such as ribbons, posters, balloons, tattoos etc) were provided to communities to assist with, and support, awareness-raising through local activities. With a record 530,000 White Ribbons and more than 650,000 items shipped to communities, these resources gave the campaign a physical presence throughout New Zealand.

The integrated campaign has built an army of passionate White Ribbon supporters forming not just a campaign, but a movement, with the ribbon a symbol of commitment and change. This adoption of the ribbon and the high level of community buy-in have led to a record number of local initiatives, empowering communities and men to take action.

The White Ribbon campaign is firmly cemented in the minds of both those who actively fight family violence and those who are aware of the issue of family violence and violence against women. The challenge for the campaign now is to grow the kaupapa to include those who are unaware that family violence is an issue that affects all of New Zealand regardless of ethnicity or wage bracket.

The focus remains on men’s violence toward women.  However communities continue to regard the white ribbon as a symbol of their growing intolerance of all forms of violence. This duality of purpose within the campaign is seen as strength with the national campaign focusing on the key messages and communities adding to those at a regional level.

Integral to the success of the campaign is the integration of a number of individual White Ribbon projects all combining to reinforce the central theme of the 2010 campaign, that being a man does not require violence, as epitomised by our first White Ribbon Ambassador Ruben Wiki (who played with controlled aggression on the field but did not bring that aggression/violence into his home or relationships).

The success of the White Ribbon Ride and the addition of a South Island ride underpinned a vibrant campaign that successfully spoke to men in ways that men understood, with this project reaching more than 80 communities across New Zealand. This success was measured in a number ways and none more so than by the increased media reporting during an election cycle, increased reach of both Facebook and the website, and increased demand for resources.

The campaign aimed to raise awareness and encourage men and communities to take action and this was supported by a number of high profile events. These included the White Ribbon Ride and the Pledge Project.

Community groups continue to use White Ribbon Day to focus on family violence issues and activities generally, many of which are linked with the ‘It’s not OK’ message.  White Ribbon Day continues to complement and consolidate the messages of the Campaign for Action on Family Violence.  Both are useful tools in the over-arching programme of action to change attitudes and behaviour around family violence.

Communication

Media coverage by region

Conclusion

What does success look like for the White Ribbon campaign when police estimate that only 17% to 20% of family violence is reported? By virtue of this statistic, success is not an immediate statistical reduction in violence against women; rather, it is increased reporting and decreased public tolerance. We believe both of these have been achieved, through a whole of government approach and multi-faceted campaigns such as White Ribbon and It’s not OK. Family Violence is an endemic issue engrained in many parts of our society. It will require long-term solutions. Success for White Ribbon is a campaign that brings all parties to the table seeking long-term change. This is demonstrated by successive administrations supporting the campaign and championing it with both major parties contributing Ambassadors. It is also supported by a number of MPs that wear a White Ribbon throughout the year.

Success is also demonstrated by the third parties that have adopted White Ribbon, such as the Kapiti Council which declared itself the first White Ribbon Council, or New Zealand Football, which made White Ribbon the cause associated with the All Whites, or the many unions which have developed resources to further the campaign in their workplaces. Our relationships with sporting codes including League, Rugby and now Football have all assisted the campaign to model good behaviour and connect with New Zealanders.

Our developing relationships with businesses will see us hold our first-ever corporate event in Auckland this year, as we continue to increase the number of our working partners, and ensure the campaign is funded through a broad base, further protecting the ongoing work required to realise the vision of White Ribbon.

To measure the effectiveness of the campaign we have developed a wide range of indicators.

The Media Monitors Survey

This tracks the quantity and quality of reports in the media and new media. (410 press clippings, 54 broadcasts, 159 internet news, and 453 internet social media articles), all the highest totals ever, while favorability has reached an all time high.

The Omnibus Survey

This tracks the recognition factor of White Ribbon and the participation rates – the campaign is now recognised by 45% of New Zealanders with 20% of New Zealanders participating in the campaign.

Satisfaction Survey

This online survey was sent to all those who had contact with White Ribbon throughout the year. The 21 question survey found that 49% of respondents were very satisfied, 43.8% satisfied and 7.3% neutral with the delivery of the campaign, while 47.3% rated the effectiveness of the campaign as very effective and 45.1% found it effective.

Feedback Survey

This survey is specifically designed to ensure the White Ribbon Ride is delivered in the best possible manner, learning from past events and is filled out by the communities responsible for hosting the riders. The response was overwhelmingly positive: “Seeing these staunch looking men, and hearing their respectful messages of non-violence, shows our young boys how to be strong without being violent, how to have relationships with women without using power and control, how to be good men.” Gerry Brooking, Wairarapa Family Violence Network.

Meta data

Data is collated from the website, Facebook and Twitter, enabling the campaign to monitor how many people are connecting with the campaign and what generates the most impact. The Website hits reached 58,910, with thousands of downloads of material. Twitter followers grew to 200, with retweeting reaching thousands more.  Facebook exceeded all expectations with over 50,000 monthly, active users in November and with a viral reach per day peaking at 7887.

Community Events.

This measurement is very significant because the number of events gives some indication as to whether communities recognise that White Ribbon is an effective tool to create change. 197 events in 2011, nearly double that of 2008.

Resources ordered

This gives an indication of the demand and value communities placed on the resource items.  Over 650,000 items were ordered and distributed in 2011.

Most Significant Change

This process provides qualitative data on the impact of the ride. It is a process that assists in evaluation and highlights key recommendations from those involved. “The ride is a gift to those who partake as well as those who are touched by it… it is truly a crusade against the scourge of domestic violence that has invaded our homes, community and country.” MSC interviewee.

Taken together these indicators demonstrate a campaign with a tremendous reach that far outweighs the small budget available to it. Through innovative projects, and a clear linkage between these projects and the campaign goals, the team has been able to work in a collaborative manner throughout New Zealand, creating a passionate army of supporters all working for change under the White Ribbon banner. The co-founder of the White Ribbon has this to say about the New Zealand Campaign.

“In my work, I’m fortunate to see the efforts of men and women all over the world working to end violence against women. A year ago, I had the pleasure of observing the New Zealand White Ribbon Campaign first-hand and I’ve been following it closely ever since. I can say without hesitation that it is at the absolute forefront of international efforts to engage men and boys to end violence against women. Its community outreach (for example, through well-organised work with local newspapers and the incredible awareness-raising motorcycle ride – neither of which have a parallel anywhere in the world – is nothing short of inspirational. I hope there are opportunities for organisations the world over to learn from the New Zealand WRC. And I hope they’re able to take the sound next steps to have an even greater impact. This will only enhance the leadership it is providing in New Zealand and, by inspiration, abroad.”

Michael Kaufman, Ph.D. Co-founder, White Ribbon Campaign, Toronto, Canada

Rob McCann

White Ribbon Campaign Manager

Dean Davis – White Ribbon Ambassador

Dean Davis

Dean Davis – White Ribbon Ambassador

Dean is a full-time house parent working for Homes for Hope and cares for children twenty four/seven. The children that come into his care have been uplifted by CYF because they have been abused or neglected in some way or another.

Currently Dean and his wife Jeanette have nine foster children in their house, so it’s a fairly full place, but one thing is for sure, it is a home which brings love, hope and joy to many children that are fortunate enough to stay there. We asked Dean why he became involved in this area of work.

“I believe we have all been given a gift or calling and so working with our tamariki and rangatahi is something we are very passionate about – they are our next generation for they are our future.  I could see there was a need for mentors and parents for these kids, who if we’re being truthful, come from broken homes where mums and dads for various reasons haven’t put the children’s needs first.  I know what that’s like, to come from a dysfunctional environment. Both my dad and my grandfather were violent to their wives, and shamefully, I too became a perpetrator to both my wife and my children.

For me, the turning point in my life was when I became a Christian and was surrounded by awesome male role models – men who mentored me and provided an example of what a non-violent life can look like.

White Ribbon is about men putting forward the best aspects of being men and creating healthy relationships that do not include violence. I changed with the help of the church and good men to look up to, and I can see White Ribbon being able to offer that same support that helped me to get on the right path.

Sarah and Jeanette

White Ribbon is a great way to do this with role models such as Ruben Wiki and the White Ribbon Riders talking about being a man without violence, and then showing us how it’s done. So I was pretty excited when I set off on the South Island leg of the White Ribbon Ride.

Not only was this a fantastic opportunity to practice what we preach, but the ride was also an opportunity to continue the healing process between myself and Jeanette. There were so many little moments on the ride when you knew that you had reached someone and given them the strength to start making a change, or simply recharged their batteries. I can honestly say it was an inspiring journey, where I was privileged to speak and lead many of the school visits.

It was very cool for the children to see men dressed in leather and big bikes turn up and then deliver messages with tremendous gentleness. I was really proud to have been a part of this, and can’t wait for this year’s ride.

Dean teaching the White Ribbon Haka

Christchurch Prison

A number of the riders also went into Christchurch Prison as part of the ride, and for many of us, this was our first time in such a facility. It wasn’t hard to imagine that the audience was going to be quite different from the rest of the ride itinerary and my wife was very hesitant to go. But in the end, the prisoners were very responsive. They listened to me talk about my past, and heard from Jeanette who had lived a life under the shadow of violence. It was very moving hearing her speak to the men, that she was able to tell them how it affected her, and how our faith had turned our life around, and what living with a non-violent man is like. It was a deeply moving experience and I definitely want to go back.  We wanted to make an impact and that mission was accomplished.”

Movember

A hairy bunch of soldiers

When Corporal Doug Grant, SAS Soldier, Patriot and White Ribbon Ride Road Captain died in August this year, the mood was one of great loss and sadness. But Duggy’s legacy has continued to grow both within the Patriots and the Army where he had been spreading the White Ribbon ethos.

Duggy, like all leaders, inspired those around him, and even though he is not with us in person, his legacy continues to grow, as illustrated by his mates organising his former unit to take part in a Movember competition that went beyond military regulations and raised over $400 for the White Ribbon Campaign.

It all started when Duggy, as a member of the Patriots Defence Force Motorcycle Club, joined the White Ribbon Ride. His enthusiasm for helping others recognised few bounds, and some of this rubbed off on his mates in the School of Military Engineering (SME) who are part of the Royal New Zealand Engineers (RNZE). Before Duggy went back into the SAS, he was an instructor at the SME for 18 months and responsible for training apprentices and running construction projects.

Corporal Doug Grant at Parihaka on the 2010 White Ribbon Ride

Duggy was a leading organiser for last year’s Movember so it was decided to memorialise Duggy by the whole wing taking part in the facial hair growing competition with the proceeds going towards White Ribbon.

There was a slight snag though. In the Army, moustaches may not dip below the upper lip, so that required the dress regulations to be changed. Given Duggy’s liking for facial hair you can only imagine how pleased he would have been seeing the dress code temporarily altered in his name!

From there the Army invited Duggy’s wife Tina Grant, and Paul Curry, CE of the Families Commission (and former Navy man) to judge the competition. The results were decided on parade with a set of finalists and a set of ‘facially challenged’ bringing up the rear.

The event ended with morning tea and speeches from Paul, Tina and White Ribbon Campaign Manager Rob McCann. Our congratulations to the whole unit who put their best growth forward to honour a very good soldier, father, husband and White Ribbon supporter.

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The Winner was Sapper Ross Wakefield.

White Ribbon on the inside

The White Ribbon Ride visted three prisons in 2011

The White Ribbon Ride visited three prisons in 2011. Each visit different, but each the same, an opportunity for men who have committed some of the worst crimes to meet and interact with the leather clad White Ribbon Riders and hear their message of non-violence and respect.

North Island Ride Coordinator and West Wind support crew Vanessa Rushton accompanied the riders into Waikeria and describes here her recollections of the visit.

At Waikeria Prison the riders were given permission to take their bikes right inside the compound where they parked in a cornered-off area.

After a period of mingling and ogling at the bikes, a group of inmates assembled on the large square grass patch in the middle of the compound, and performed what can only be described as the most passionate haka I have ever seen (most definitely put the All Blacks to shame). One of the men came forward and on behalf of all the inmates, thanked the riders for coming to visit them, and expressed his support for the kaupapa, the riders and the mission they were on. 

Waikaria Prison Program

With goosebumps and hairs on end, everyone moved into a dining area, taking an illustrated program on the way. The cover had been drawn by one of the inmates and was an evocative depiction of the White Ribbon kaupapa.

Speeches from the unit manager and counsellor were followed by words from the White Ribbon Riders.

Each of the five White Ribbon Riders stood up in turn, sharing their story and their reason for being on the Ride. The inmates listened attentively and in silence, taking in the advice and the messages. One of the Riders was a former gang leader who had spent time behind bars at Waikeria Prison, whilst another had worked at Waikeria as a chef many years ago. There were a couple within the riders who spoke of their experience of violence in their relationship and how they got through it. Each speaker left the inmates with the message that violence is not the way, and change is possible.

The visitors then mixed with the inmates over an afternoon tea of scones, tea and coffee. This was a special time for less formal conversations – some light-hearted, others straight to the point:  what does this visit mean to you? What do you think of these guys?

Quotes from inmates who spoke to the White Ribbon Riders

On leaving, I felt a sense of sadness at all these young and old men locked away. There were many who were younger than I, who we learnt had children and families. Families who would not spend time with them at Christmas, birthdays and those once-in-a-lifetime occasions when children learn to walk or go to school for the first day.

I hope the visit instilled in them a sense of hope for the future – that they too could put their pasts behind them, be good men, and ride out into the sunset, living a happy violence-free life.

The Campaign Team believe sending the White Ribbon Riders into prisons is a highly effective use of their time, put plainly, it’s talking to men that need to hear the message most. Ride organisers definitely intend to include prisons in the schedule for the 2012 Ride.

South Island Ride

The White Ribbon Ride featured 25 core riders with well over 100 other men and women joining throughout the eight days of riding. Three rides took place simultaneously, with ride leaders, road captains, tail-end charlies, support crews and three sign-written support trucks (yes these bikes do break down).

Ride Flyer

The ride was led by a core group of riders from the Patriots (former and current members of the armed forces) and Te Ahi Kikoha – meaning “The Sharpened Flame” – a new entity that brought a wealth of Māori knowledge and expertise to the ride.

the public loved the riders

The purpose of the ride is to raise awareness and get men to take action. Having tough looking guys – many of whom have served their country – delivering messages about love and respect, means the messages get through. In schools the riders have the kids’ absolute attention.

The ride traveled some 8,500kms right acrossNew Zealand, from the largest centres of Aucklandand and Christchurch to some of the smallest like Franz Josef on the Westcoast, or Ohakune and Taihape in the central North. At each venue the riders were welcomed by locals and shared their stories of positive change. It was a privilege to take part in the ride. The following is based on notes from the first two days of the ride – to give you a feel of what it was like, and if we receive positive comments, we’ll publish some other extracts based on the notes of the support crew.

Positioning Ride to Blenheim

RSA food

on the ferry

The Ferry trip, while an hour late, was uneventful, especially for the sleeping Patriots who had ridden down from Auckland and Tauranga that morning. I managed to spend the first two hours logged into the work computers until I’d used up my bandwidth – sending out localised press releases and answering the 100 or so emails that come in every day at this time of year. At Picton, we were met by the Blenheim Chapter of the Patriots who escorted us to the local RSA where we enjoyed a good meal with two-for-one-puddings before starting the briefing process. This was one of those new establishments where most of the town clubs had joined together and now had strength in numbers and excellent shared resources.

Richard speaks at the briefing

The briefing is essential to ensure all the core riders understand their jobs, know how the ride will be conducted and acquire an understanding of the whole campaign and how the riders fit into the narrative of good men as epitomized by our first White Ribbon Ambassador Ruben Wiki. The ride leaders had previously been sent a file that contained among other things, the key messages, Q&As (questions and answers that may be asked about the ride), schedules and maps. All the support riders were brought up to speed and the rides were able to meet one another and share their resons for taking part. Two hours later we were done – time for bed.

Day One – The Ride begins!

rider's prayer

sealing the ribbon

Early morning consisted of preparing the bikes, attaching flags and ribbons and stickers. A little trick for those new to this, seal the ribbon with a lighter to stop the edges fraying and don’t let them get near moving parts. After the photographer (that’s me) had annoyed all the bikers taking a range of posed shots, we were off to meet the local riders at the war memorial and then participate at the first event before heading to Kaikoura.

Kaikoura Event

In Kaikoura we were met with an enthusiastic welcome from Hapuku Schoolwho had been patiently waiting at the local market with teachers and parents on a Saturday afternoon. The sun was just holding sway and following a welcome from the local Kaumatua, Richard Bradley and then Shane Henry replied.

the whole family

Then we were in for a surprise as marching girls (and by girls I mean serious women in their 50s and beyond) paraded around the bikes wearing ‘It’s not OK’ t-shirts. It was the first and last marching band we saw! At that point the home-made lunches were brought out complete with orange juice and lamingtons. It was our first real day, so the realisation that there were no

home made food

sausages had yet to be appreciated. Then it was the moment that all the kids wait for, a chance to sit on the bikes and chat to the riders. There was a lot of joy in the faces of these kids and they clamored over the bikes and posed for photos with the machinery or the riders.

Then it was time to go. There’s one thing about the South Island aside from its beauty, there’s quite a lot of space in between the towns, and therefore a lot of riding. And so it was today. From Blenheim to Christchurch! When we reached the garden city we experienced our first (and one of very few) directional challenges. For the most part South Island roads are easy to follow. Christchurchwas always an exception with a series of one-ways that can trap tourists and visitors. However, since the earthquakes, getting from point A to point B was even harder. The ride became split and seemed to take an age to rejoin at the motorcycle shop – Rolling Thunder. There we had a photo shoot for an event the following week where the riders were to escort Rachel Dawick into the city as she rode from Cape Reingato Bluff on her bicycle raising funds for Women’s Refuge. With the sun positioned directly above and behind the riders, it was a challenging photo.

BMW ZX4

Christchurch Women's Refuge at Rolling Thunder

Then it was dinner for the riders and I was off to pick up my borrowed transportation for the rest of the ride. A BMW ZX4 which even the riders on their enormous machines were somewhat jealous of.  The car proved a hit not only for this lucky driver, but also, the many school kids who sat behind the wheel and imagined being in ‘Need for Speed’ or whatever the kids play on Xbox 360 these days! The most common question from the kids being ‘what speed does it go’ to which there is only one answer, ‘100km on the road, but on a racing track it might go very very fast’.

Throughout the day the support crew would upload photos and comments to Facebook and Twitter, but at the end of each day the support crew (which still numbered one in the South Island) had a set of other duties. First we had to download all the footage from the day and then upload the best pictures to Facebook and name them. By now it was past midnight and we had an early start, so thus ended day one.

Early in the new year we will run a couple of North Island Ride extracts, so look out for some great stories from the East and West rides in 2012.

Rob McCann

White Ribbon Campaign Manager and Support Crew South Island Ride

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