White Ribbon riders roll through Gisborne

White Ribbon Rider Tony Brooking lets Campion College student Uasilotu Kavai sit on his dark horse Indian motorbike. Pictures by Liam Clayton

More than 25 White Ribbon Riders (WRR) rolled into Gisborne this week to spread awareness on domestic violence against woman.

The riders are more than half way through their 13hour trip that started in Hamilton and will end in Rotorua.

The group spoke with Gisborne Girls’ High School and Campion College students.

Tauawhi Men’s Centre co-ordinator Tim Marshall said the kids were engaged in the conversation and received the message well.

“The WRR’s split the kids into males and females and presented their separate messages.

“They invited the young men to take action by showing respect to women and themselves,” he said.

“It was an awesome korero, message and waiata and it was great to see some of the same riders that came in previous years.

“Aaron Morrison the group leader has been to Gisborne a few times before,” he said.

The White Ribbon Ride is an initiative aimed at tackling this country’s crippling domestic violence record.

The White Ribbon website says that violence destroys families, sets children on a destructive journey and affects one in three women.

This week-long motorcycle tour happens every November for White Ribbon Month, and is a powerful and inspirational voyage for all involved.

To sign the pledge go to the White Ribbon website.