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.

The Winner was Sapper Ross Wakefield.

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.

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

Signing the pledge

In 2011 the White Ribbon Committee set about ensuring that all New Zealanders would be able to hear the White Ribbon message. That means working with ethnic communities on a community-by-community basis, acknowledging that each is unique and on a continuum towards non-violence, but not necessarily at the same point.

Discussing ideas at the dinner

The catch-cry is that ‘there is no excuse for violence including culture’ and this has been picked up by communities across New Zealand culminating in a White Ribbon Dinner held at Police National Headquarters withGregory Fortuin(former Race Relations Conciliator) inspiring the audience to step up and take a stand.

But that’s not all. The campaign developed a number of translated posters and expects this to continue. These posters are available by download from here. We hope to increase the range in 2012.

Fijian Translation

The campaign has also been seeking out White Ribbon Ambassadors from all ethnic groups.

We recognise that change must come from within and having men from your own community stand up has far more potential to inspire change. If you know of someone who is inspirational and can lead through example click here and download the nomination forms. We need people to step up and provide that leadership role.

As the reach of White Ribbon grows, we are being asked to speak at events and activities across New Zealand. We hope these messages are then carried back into families where the real debate and change occurs. Here are some of the most recent functions we have attended:

• A function to acknowledge the work of over 165 Maori, Pacific and Ethnic wardens in ensuring safe outcomes for our communities;  in particular their magnificent work during the Rugby World Cup. The wardens signed the White Ribbon banner as a continued commitment to ending violence towards women within their communities.
  

  NZCFC Cup 2011 Champions team photo

  

  NZCFC tournament poster 2011

• The New Zealand Communities Football Cup that supports White Ribbon. Not only were there sporting competitions with 12 teams and 216 players but the event also included a Youth Workshopwhere migrant and refugee youth aged 12–18 provided feedback on the ‘Green Paper’ on how to improve the lives of young people. Our new White Ribbon Ambassador and former All White Harry Ngata was also able to attend, along withGregory Fortuin.
  

  White Ribbon Dinner

• The White Ribbon Dinner organised by the White Ribbon Ethnic Outreach. A fantastic event at the Police National Headquarters with a range of compelling speakers. We hope this event shared with Wellingtoncommunities the excitement and commitment for change that we know is building across New Zealand.
• The annual general meeting of the New Zealand Federation of Multicultural Councils in Christchurch on 5 November where White Ribbon presented to the members and received very positive feedback.
• The Manawatu Multicultural Council annual dinner in Palmerston North on White Ribbon Day.
• An event to acknowledge Muslim men working in the areas of family violence and supporting the rights of Muslim women. This event built on Ratna Osman’s (Sisters In Islam, Malaysia) visit to New Zealandin July 2011 which focused on Muslim Women’s Rights as Human Rights.
• Diversity Forum in Hamilton on 20 August where we also met for the first time with the New Zealand Federation of Multicultural Councils.
  

  Gregory Fortuin

Ethnic communities have few leaders that are able to speak on such an important subject as family violence and we have been indebted toGregory Fortuinwho has been able to capture hearts and minds and inspire action.

It’s an exciting time and we’d like to thank all those who have been working on this project, especially the staff from NZ Police, Office of Ethnic Affairs, Department of Internal Affairs, Human Rights Commission, Ministry of Social Development and Families Commission, and the support from the ethnic communities themselves. Without your enthusiasm for change – the change is not possible.

This is a cause that senior international and father of two, Ivan Vicelich, said had the full support from All Whites players.

“Sometimes being tough gets confused with being violent, but as a team we demonstrate that both on and off the field violence is not OK. Most of us have wives now, some have daughters. But all of us, and in fact all men have women in their lives – a friend, a sister, their mother – that they wouldn’t want to see in harm’s way. Signing up for White Ribbon is a way we can publicly show that men are the solution.”

Football Poster

The creation of a White Ribbon Cup will raise awareness of men’s violence against women and give all the top domestic teams that are not involved in Champions League football a bigger diet of football. The first two games have already been played and for more information click here www.asbpremiership.co.nz

Harry Ngata

We believe the relationship between White Ribbon and football is only just beginning. Future All Whites games will be used to raise awareness of the White Ribbon Campaign and already members of the team have signed the personal pledge to never commit, condone or remain silent about violence towards women, while Harry Ngata, former international and NZPFA board member became a White Ribbon Ambassador.

Ngata’s father, the late Dr. Paratene (Pat) Ngata, was an active campaigner for the cause. Harry explains, “For me it’s about legacy – not just from Dad’s work but also about the sort of role models sportsmen can be, and the sort of influence they can have when they stand up for up for what is right. You don’t have to experience violence to understand just how terrible the effects can be on women, and children.”

White Ribbon Cup

The White Ribbon Cup

The White Ribbon Cup, a new competition for ASB Premiership clubs not involved in Champions League football, kicks off this weekend on 03 December

The six teams – Hawke’s Bay United, Waikato FC and YoungHeart Manawatu in the Northern Conference and Canterbury United, Otago United and Team Wellington in the Southern group – will play two games each with the two conference winners meeting in the final on April 1.

The matches, two of which will be hosted in Taupo, will also see local match day activity for the White Ribbon campaign, adopted recently by the All Whites as their official cause.

The White Ribbon campaign raises awareness of men’s violence against women – which in New Zealand is generally directed at wives, girlfriends and other intimate partners.

All games will be played when the ASB Premiership takes breaks for the OFC Champions League giving the teams not involved much needed football.

“One of the main aims is to give all our top domestic teams a bigger diet of football at this level and the White Ribbon Cup is an important step towards that,” said New Zealand Football Chief Executive Grant McKavanagh.

“With the welcome distraction that the O-League causes in our season we needed to find a solution for the other six clubs.

“It’s also a practical way we can raise awareness of White Ribbon and the positive anti-violence messages of that campaign.”

White Ribbon Soccer Campaign

The campaign is led by the Families Commission which actively supports a suite of family violence initiatives including the It’s Not OK campaign, the Family Violence Clearinghouse, Family Violence Statistics report and the White Ribbon Campaign.

“We’re delighted to build on our relationship with New Zealand Football and have the White Ribbon Cup add to the support shown already by the All Whites to end violence against women,” said Families Commission White Ribbon Campaign Manager Rob McCann.

“The campaign is about men talking to men in ways that men understand so sport can be a great vehicle for communicating the message that you can be tough and play with controlled aggression, but you can’t bring that aggression into the home.”

New Zealand Football have indicated that future editions of the White Ribbon Cup will have an increased number of rounds to match the full O-League calendar.

Waikato and Hawke’s Bay meet at Taupo’s Crown Park at 2pm on Saturday with Team Wellington hosting Canterbury United at David Farrington Park in the capital at 3pm.

White Ribbon Cup 2011/12 Draw

Bob McCoskrie is likely to be a lone voice with his decision to not wear a ribbon on White Ribbon Day, the United Nations sanctioned campaign when men speak out against men’s violence toward women.

White Ribbon Day is one of the most extensive and widely supported campaigns in this country’s community action calendar. More than 500,000 individuals throughout New Zealand will wear a ribbon, hundreds of communities will host White Ribbon events, and dozens of organisations will be lending the efforts of their staff and volunteers to push the day’s anti-violence messages.

McCoskrie suggests that White Ribbon Day is about “blaming” men for violence, that the campaign’s messages make a gender issue out of a family problem.

“What about women’s violence toward men and children?” he asks.

It is a legitimate question, but one that reveals a lack of understanding of the history, role and impact of the White Ribbon Day campaign.

White Ribbon Day has never made out family violence as solely a result of men’s behaviour. It is, at its simplest, a men’s response to the issue of family violence.

Started by men in Canada in 1991 after the mass shooting of 14 female students at the University of Montreal, White Ribbon has remained steadfast to its founders’ principles: That if violence is to be prevented, men must lead, and take responsibility for their role in it; and that starts with their attitudes toward violence against women. Rather than blaming men, White Ribbon shows men how they can be part of the solution. It uses the strength of men to help bring about an end to all violence.

There is good science behind this. Studies show that men respond more positively to social campaigns when the message they receive is from men, about men, and asking men to stand up and lead. When messages are more generic, men are more likely to then see it as “someone else’s issue”. We need men involved in family violence prevention in New Zealand. White Ribbon helps achieve that.

And it works. White Ribbon, and its allied campaign “It’s Not OK” have been proven to be effective, not only for raising awareness of family violence generally, but also increasing the number of people prepared to do something about it. Surveys on the impact of “It’s Not OK”, for example, show that one in five New Zealanders have taken, or would be willing to take, action against family violence when they encounter it.  The New Zealand Police have said for many years that family violence is seriously under reported. That’s changing. Tolerance of family violence is at an all time low and reporting at a record high, a result the Police freely credit, in no small part, to the impact of the anti-violence campaigns. And we are starting to see evidence that the actual rate of family violence might be starting to reduce.

This is backed up by the human stories the Families Commission hears. Participants in the main White Ribbon event – the White Ribbon motorcycle ride currently touring New Zealand – tell us repeatedly that the White Ribbon activities open doors for people from all walks of life to talk about family violence generally, and gives them the courage to act.

The ride has elicited an incredible grassroots response from communities and individuals throughout New Zealand. And when the leather-clad male riders talk, men listen, and so do their sons and wives, fathers and daughters, uncles and aunts and brothers. The stories people tell of the impact of White Ribbon activities are inspirational for their hope and life changing renewal, bringing an end to violence for many families, whoever the perpetrators have been.

And the perpetrators are varied; in gender, in the role they have in their families, in the type of violence they commit, and in the degree of responsibility and culpability they have for their actions. Family violence is not – and has never been made out to be by the Families Commission – a simplistic formula of who’s the strongest physically in a relationship. Women do commit violence, and women are not always the “innocent” partner when violence does occur. Indeed, seeking to “blame” either one or the other of a violent couple is not helpful. Family violence is complex, and difficult. Therefore it needs a multiple number of approaches to deal with it successfully. The White Ribbon campaign is one tool in our kit box.

However, the Families Commission suggests that the gender comparisons debate is the least useful. All forms of violence, whoever the perpetrator and whatever their gender, are unacceptable. The White Ribbon campaign neither denies these other forms of violence nor precludes discussion of them; quite the opposite. The campaign is proven as a catalyst for opening discussion about, and encouraging action against, all forms of violence in New Zealand. That’s got to be good for Kiwi families and whānau.

We agree with Bob McCoskrie that violence is a family concern, not an issue of gender. So, we invite him, as a man, to show personal responsibility and leadership by wearing the White Ribbon. It is an emphatic statement, by men, that they will not tolerate any form of domestic violence in this country.

Carl Davidson
Chief Commissioner
Families Commission

Left to right: Harry Ngata, Tim Brown, David Mulligan, Leo Bertos, Tony Lochhead, Ivan Vicelich and Mark Paston - SHANE WENZLICK/PHOTOSPORT

AUCKLAND – New Zealand Football and the New Zealand Professional Footballers Association (NZPFA) have partnered with White Ribbon – a campaign offering men the chance to be part of the solution to end violence against women – as the All Whites official cause.

The White Ribbon campaign raises awareness of men’s violence against women – which in New Zealand is generally directed at wives, girlfriends and other intimate partners.

The worldwide campaign, led in New Zealand by the Families Commission, is a cause that senior international and father of one, Ivan Vicelich said had the full support from All Whites players.

“Sometimes being tough gets confused with being violent but as a team we demonstrate that that both on and off the field violence is not ok,” Vicelich said.

“Most of us have wives now, some have daughters. But all of us, and in fact all men have women in their lives – a friend, a sister, their mother – that they wouldn’t want to see in harm’s way.

“Signing up for White Ribbon is a way we can publically show that men are the solution.”

Future All Whites games would be used to raise awareness of the White Ribbon campaign while members of the team will also sign the personal pledge to never commit, condone or remain silent about violence against women. Signed pledges from prominent men in communities all over New Zealand will be published in newspapers on White Ribbon Day on November 25.

Enhancing the All Whites connection will be NZPFA board member and former international Harry Ngata, who joins the likes of Ruben Wiki and Prime Minister John Key as a White Ribbon Ambassador.

White Ribbon Ambassadors encourage men to get involved by helping to challenge and change men’s abusive behaviour and attitudes towards women.

Ngata’s father, the late Dr. Paratene (Pat) Ngata, was an active campaigner for the cause.

“For me it’s about legacy – not just from Dad’s work but also about the sort of role models sportsmen can be, and the sort of influence they can have when they stand up for up for what is right,” Ngata said.

“You don’t have to experience violence to understand just how terrible the effects can be on women, and children.”

The campaign is led by the Families Commission which actively supports a suite of family violence initiatives including the It’s Not OK campaign, the Family Violence Clearinghouse, Family Violence Statistics report and the White Ribbon Campaign.

“We welcome Harry Ngata as a new White Ribbon Ambassador and the support of role models like the All Whites in the drive to end violence against women,” said Families Commission White Ribbon Campaign Manager Rob McCann.

“The campaign is about men talking to men in ways that men understand. That’s why it’s great to hear athletes like Ivan Vicelich, Ben Sigmund or Ruben Wiki to convey the message – that you can be tough and play with controlled aggression, but you can’t bring that aggression into the home.”

New Zealand Football was also exploring further initiatives to support White Ribbon through domestic football.

White Ribbon New Zealand launches campaign with new Ambassador

David White

“We welcomes David White as a new White Ribbon Ambassador in the fight to end violence against women,” says Families Commission Campaign Manager Rob McCann.

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, Mr White has agreed to become an ambassador to ensure this never happens again.

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.”

“I am speaking out to support the White Ribbon Campaign and in the hope that other women who are experiencing violent relationships, will seek help, and that no one will become complicit by remaining silent.”

Mr McCann agrees. “If men reject the use of violence, the silence that protects such behaviour can not exist. Silence is the oxygen that allows violence to breathe and become the norm in a relationship. Each one of us can play a part in ending that silence, and that is why the White Ribbon campaign asks men to never commit or ‘condone’ violence. Sometimes it’s what we don’t do that makes us complicit.

David White joins an impressive list of White Ribbon Ambassadors which includes the Prime Minister, Ruben Wiki and Stan Walker. The ambassadors form part of the Families Commission’s campaign to raise awareness of men’s violence towards women and encourages men to get involved by challenging behaviours or attitudes that are abusive. The campaign has a number of major components in 2011:

• The White Ribbon Ride
• The Giant White Ribbon Pledge Project
• The Newspaper Pledges
• Information and Resource Distribution
• White Ribbon Ambassadors

 “By 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 the many White Ribbon Day activities around 25 November. You can help to raise our collective voice and say once and for all, that this country and its men, reject violence against women.”

For more information about the campaign or activities in your local area visit www.whiteribbon.org.nz.

Join us on

TV3 News Clip from 2010

 White Ribbon Ride – North Island

Itinerary North Island 2011

The final itinerary for the North Island can be downloaded here and the South Island will be ready later this week. The document contains the full schedule, event locations, routes, distances and accommodation details. So get on your bikes and ride!

As a rider, you can make a difference by joining the ride to raise awareness and help men to take action against violence. Riders can participate in the whole ride over all 8 days or ride for as long as you like . The ride will be led by the Patriots Defence Force Motorcycle Club. They are responsible for the safety of the ride, speaking to media and representing the riders at  the community events.

There is no registration for this ride, however riders must sign the pledge ‘never to commit, condone or remain silent about violence towards women’. Riders can join the ride at any location and leave the ride at any location. There will be a short safety briefing for new riders at each location where the Patriots will ensure that riders are aware of the protocols and rules of the ride. Riders will also be given a Ride11 badge and ribbon to be displayed on the bikes.

White Ribbon Riders