White Ribbon Ride 2013

The 2012 Poster

This year we are streamlining some of the processes around the White Ribbon Ride. Registrations of Interest (ROI) will be considered by the campaign team and ride leaders at the White Ribbon Hui on 24-26 May. To assist us as we draw up the schedule, please complete the ROI form as soon as possible and send back to the campaign team prior to the 21 May. We will then be able to consider your proposed event as we put together the schedule. You don’t need to know the details of your event, but we do need to know that you wish to take part and whether other organisations are involved. The ride will take place around the 18-26 November 2013.

Down load the Registration of Interest (ROI).

• PDF (ROI)

• Word File (ROI)

White Ribbon Campaign Report 2012

Chris Green and White Ribbon NZ Campaign Manager Rob McCann

Chris Green, Executive Director for the White Ribbon Campaign UK visited New Zealand earlier this year and had this to say.

‘I see the New Zealand White Ribbon Campaign as taking the prevention agenda another step on the way to creating a world of respectful loving relationships. I will take lessons from your work back with me to improve our own activities in the UK.

While being a tourist in Franz Josef Glacier and in Westport I was delighted and inspired to see people wearing white ribbons and shops with white ribbon window displays, and to meet individuals, who, when I asked them, knew all about the campaign and the importance of engaging men to challenge violence against women.

Download the White Ribbon Report 2012

Everywhere I visited there were ribbons and evidence of a campaign that reached right into the heart of communities.

This engagement is a testament to your well organised campaign and it was inspiring to meet with the White Ribbon Campaign Team and share ideas. I look forward to the opportunity to co-operate more closely in the future’. 

Introducing new White Ribbon Chair Peter Boshier

Judge Peter Boshier

Judge Boshier has been a member of the government’s Family Violence Taskforce for the past 6 years and was appointed a White Ribbon Ambassador in 2011.  He sees family violence in New Zealand as a significant problem and is an area of social change he is most committed to.

Judge Peter Boshier was born and educated in Gisborne and attended Victoria University of Wellington obtaining a Bachelor of Laws with Honours degree in 1975. After a period of practise in Wellington he was appointed as a District Court Judge with a specialist Family Court warrant in 1988.

Judge Boshier developed a particular interest in child and youth offending and was the author of a 1999 booklet, Child Offenders Manual- a practical guide to successful intervention with child offenders. In 2000 he travelled to Samoa as part of setting up the Manukau Youth Court Pacific Liaison Service and while there was bestowed with the Matai title of Misa.

Judge Boshier’s close interest in the Pacific continued in 2002, when he was seconded by the New Zealand Government to teach judiciaries in the Pacific.

Judge Boshier signs the pledge

In 2004 Judge Boshier was appointed as the Principal Family Court Judge and held that position until late 2012. During this period he sought to open the court up so that its work was more accessible and more widely known.

Judge Boshier is currently a Law Commissioner with the New Zealand Law Commission, advising on aspects of law reform. In addition, he teaches a course at Victoria University of Wellington and for the Pacific Judicial development programme. In 2009 Judge Boshier was made a distinguished alumnus of the Victoria University of Wellington for his contribution to law. Judge Boshier continues to hold a warrant to sit as a District and Family Court judge.

From Peter Boshier

“I was honoured to have been made a White Ribbon Ambassador let alone asked to take on the role of chair on the advisory committee. For me, it’s an opportunity to further support a campaign that asks men to change other men’s perception of violence.

I grew up in a country that all too often glorified violence and brushed the devastation under the carpet. A serious assault against a woman was known as a ‘domestic’ and left to the family to sort while violence was often seen as a legitimate tool of persuasion – but those days are long gone. We now recognise the role the country has through such institutions as the Police, schools, hospitals, the It’s not OK Campaign and White Ribbon to eliminate violence against women. It is this effort alongside that of communities which must give us hope.

Judge Boshier speaks at a White Ribbon Breakfast

“We acknowledge that violence in New Zealand affects not one demographic, but rather all communities. In New Zealand the costs associated with family violence are estimated at between $1.2 and $5.8 billion each year.¹ That’s a staggering monetary amount, but the real costs are often in the lives that are damaged and forever marred from the experiences of both physical and the fear associated with non-physical violence.

“While this evil is perpetrated by both men and women, White Ribbon is proud that it stands as a campaign that speaks to men. It offers men the opportunity to take responsibility to end the violence and change the behaviour of other men.

“That’s not to say that all violence is perpetrated by men, but what White Ribbon as a campaign can do, is work directly through men such as the White Ribbon Ambassadors, White Ribbon Riders and the campaign team, to change the attitudes and behaviour of a section of our society. In marketing terminology, the campaign is targeted, and I along with the White Ribbon Committee stand by that decision.

“I’m honoured to have my role announced at the same time the campaign publishes the 2012 White Ribbon Report. Having read the document I am impressed by the breadth and depth of the campaign. The campaign team has worked alongside providers throughout the country increasing the campaign’s reach and enabling communities to raise awareness and take action.

Download the 2012 White Ribbon Report

“There were:

• 237 events in November (which represents a 20 percent increase from 2011)
• 734 mentions in the traditional media during November, an increase of 120
• 88,802 visits to the White Ribbon website in 2012, averaging over 240 per day
• 7,100 Facebook friends with a reach that has exceeded 1.7 million people in 2012
• 86 communities were visited by the White Ribbon Riders
• 54 White Ribbon Ambassadors, many of whom publicly spoke out against violence towards women.

Download the April Newsletter

“While there’s no one simple cure to end what is a plague in our country, I believe that White Ribbon is making a difference. It is one part of a long-term solution that must and does involve a whole-of-government approach, along with its role to inspire communities to act as agents of social change.

“I look forward to the 2013 campaign and am excited as White Ribbon continues its journey towards becoming an independent entity outside of government. As those before me have said, White Ribbon is not just a campaign; it’s a movement of change. I hope you’ll join us as we make that change possible.

[1] Snively, Suzanne, The New Zealand Economic Cost of Family Violence (1996)

All Whites v New Caledonia – March 2013

crowd salute the players as they leave the pitch victorious

In 2010 New Zealand Football and the New Zealand Professional Footballers Association (NZPFA) partnered with White Ribbon – a campaign offering men the chance to be part of the solution to end violence against women – which became the All Whites official cause.

applying a tattoo

Since then, former All White and Sky Commentator Harry Ngata has become an ambassador, and in 2012 a White Ribbon Cup was introduced.

‘This partnership has been very exciting because it’s not driven from a commercial imperative’, says Chief Executive New Zealand Football Grant McKavanagh. ‘The idea came from the players themselves, who saw an opportunity for football to help tackle one of the most serious issues in our country.

‘One-in-three women will experience partner violence at some point in their lives¹ and that’s a staggeringly high number. Within the All Whites team structure there are over 25 men in the unit, they all have mothers or partners, female friends, colleagues and many now have daughters. Statistically, that violence will have affected a number of our team – now expand that group and include football payers across the country, add in the families of those players and the number that may have been affected by violence in our community is so large it’s hard to comprehend.

‘We know too many people say ‘it doesn’t affect me’ and we as a team and organisation don’t believe that’s good enough. As men, we’re taking responsibility for raising this issue and working with the White Ribbon Campaign towards solutions,’ says Mr McKavanagh.

Harry Ngata at work

White Ribbon Ambassador Harry Ngata explains, ‘For me it’s about legacy – not just  my 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. It’s easy to see the bruises and the broken bones, what people often don’t understand are the effects of non-physical violence.

‘Where once there was a bright a bubbly person, violence can rob that individual of their spark leaving them living in constant fear, suffering from anxiety or depression and this can then lead to alcohol, drug abuse or poor health.

‘If we can influence just one man and put them on a different path then I’ll be happy. We know our players can reach people so we want to utilise that opportunity and our partnership with White Ribbon. Men, including our All Whites and management, can be an example, wearing the white ribbon to show that we will never commit condone or remain silent about violence towards women,’ says Mr Ngata.

NZ Football will be announcing further initiatives with White Ribbon later in the year.

[1] Snively, Suzanne, The New Zealand Economic Cost of Family Violence (1996)

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The White Ribbon Riders Hui 24-26 May

White Ribbon Ride Leader Richard Bradley speaks at a 2012 event

The White Ribbon Ride is New Zealand’s most exciting initiative to tackle this country’s crippling domestic violence record. Violence destroys families, sets our children on a destructive journey and affects one-in-three women. This week-long motorcycle tour happens every November during White Ribbon Month, and is a powerful and inspirational voyage for all involved.

Te Ahi Kikoha, The Patriots, Bream Bay Trust and White Ribbon invite riders to participate in the White Ribbon Riders Hui. We will bring together riders from across New Zealand along with the campaign team and organisers to plan and prepare for the 2013 ride. We will share our experiences from previous years and discuss the messages and how we deliver them at White Ribbon Events.

Before the hui begins, a debrief and planning session with the The Patriots, Te Ahi Kikoha and Bream Bay Trust occurs. At this session we take the lessons learnt from the previous year, find solutions to problems, enhance the good ideas and put together a cohesive schedule for that year’s ride. This plan is then sent out to communities for consultation. If your community wishes to participate in the 2013 ride please download and complete the Registration of Interest (ROI) form.

If you wish to take part in the White Ribbon Hui please contact White Ribbon Ambassador Takurua Tawera.

The Hui will be held at Taurua Marae on State Highway 30 Rotoiti.

Taurua Marae

Itinerary

Friday 24 May

• Debrief and planning session with ride leaders. We will be considering the schedule for the 2013 ride. If your community is interested in hosting the ride please download and complete the ROI. 9:30am – 4:00pm (invite only)
• Riders arrive after 4:00pm

Supporters in Levin 2012

Saturday and Sunday

• Whanaungatanga
• Waiata /haka
• Whakapapa of White Ribbon
• Te Ahi Kikoha – whakapapa
• Patriots – whakapapa
• Bream Bay Trust whakapapa
• Independent riders whakapapa
• Roles and responsibilities on ride
• Integrity of kaupapa
• Media training including key messages
• Filming and photographs

The Hui will end at noon on Sunday to allow riders to travel home.

Takurua and Catherine Tawera at the White Ribbon Ride Planning Day 2012

White Ribbon Ride 2012 – East Wind

Bernadette – White Ribbon Ride Support Crew Member

The White Ribbon Ride for 2012 is over, and it was an incredible experience that proved to be very successful! Riders from all over the country joined forces to spread the message of non-violence to communities across New Zealand. We were received by so many welcoming and supportive communities who have been working hard to eliminate the presence of family violence throughout the country.

On the East Wind route we were very fortunate to have fabulous weather and very safe riding from the Patriots, Te Ahi Kikoha, and all the independent riders. With a core group of about 25 riders, we were lucky to be joined by 10-15 riders each day who found themselves unable to resist the kaupapa, the open road and the welcoming sense of community that is White Ribbon.

East Wind Riders

Each day the riders and crew were surprised at the energy of the organisers and participants in the numerous events we attended. Each community offered a different approach to celebrating the arrival of the riders and spreading the White Ribbon message. Each community demonstrated their own unique way of interacting with the riders and spectators. Some days we were lucky enough to visit traditional maraes only to be followed by a sack race with kids at the local community garden. The great range of activities and events along the East Wind route kept each day interesting and eventful. The different opportunities also allowed us all to appreciate the diversity that exists within each community.

Flaxmere College, Hastings. Principal Louise Anaru rides into Assembly with Patriot BJ

There were so many highlights of the trip but what seemed to really stick with the riders and the support crew were the reactions from the children at the schools we visited. At first, so many of the children seemed anxious and wary of the visitors, but soon warmed to the concepts and messages behind White Ribbon. Seeing the kids become passionate about such an important cause was both rewarding and inspiring. The great majority of the school children put their inhibitions aside and began interacting with the riders and embracing the opportunity – realising what it was that the riders offered: a safe and proactive way to end violence towards women and children. Not to mention, the various activities, from tug-of-war to sack racing, were a great way for riders to enjoy some quality and stress-free time with the youth of the communities.

East Wind Riders at Opotiki

Perhaps the most meaningful aspect to our journey around the North Island was the opportunity to share stories with the other riders and to learn from each other. Each individual on the ride brought a unique perspective and history that added to the great diversity within the group. One especially trying story was that of Kristen Dunne-Powell, who courageously shared her story and her path to healing with all who would listen. There was even a special case on our trip where the riders were able to really do some positive anti-violence work as they helped a local woman find a safe house away from her abuser.

Te Whata Tau O Putauaki showing their great support in the main office

Getting to know so many people who have walked such different paths really consolidated the messages of White Ribbon and the far-reaching effects of family violence. Being able to witness the courage and perseverance of so many of the men and women riders who dedicate their lives to ending violence towards women and children is not only a special opportunity, but a privilege. It was particularly heart-warming to see the men and women of White Ribbon stand with their fellow riders as they shared their stories with the public. In these moments, it was so clear that despite any boundaries or obstacles these individuals may face, they have each other as a family to lean on for support. With the joining of so many different forces, the White Ribbon Ride 2012 proved to be an unforgettable 10 days of stories, tears, laughter and most importantly, change within ourselves and across the greater New Zealand community.

Bernadette Bernadette Palmeri
White Ribbon Ride Support Crew Member