KEY POINTS:
Preschoolers joined the campaign against family violence yesterday at the start of a two-week fundraiser billed as "New Zealand's biggest morning tea".
Three- and 4-year-olds at the Montessori kindergarten in Drury, South Auckland, crowded around a table to mix the ingredients for a banana cake.
Pieces were sold to their parents when they collected their children last night.
The funds raised will go towards a $400,000 appeal by Preventing Violence in the Home to pay for its national helpline, 0508 DVHELP (0508-384-357).
At least 17 preschools and play groups from Whangarei to Balclutha are among dozens of groups that have organised fundraising "morning teas".
Justice Minister Annette King hosts a morning tea at the Beehive in Wellington this morning, and events are being organised around the country by branches of the campaign's main sponsor, Bank of New Zealand.
Roana Carran, of East Tamaki-based Coverstaff Recruitment, said she would hold morning teas on June 20 at the company's three branches across Auckland because she saw the effects of domestic violence on her 1800 casual workers, about half of them women.
She said the company referred some victims to women's refuges or the City Mission but it was unable to help many others.
"We have gone around to the families and discussed it with the families, with mixed response. It's still quite a taboo subject," she said.
"When we got behind this, it was more for us to raise awareness.
"It's going in the pay slips to candidates and it's going out to our new clients, and for everyone who comes in for a slice of cake between 10am and 11am on June 20 we are donating $10 to the cause."
www.nzsbiggestmorningtea.org.nz
