Fathers need to teach their sons to respect women by modelling that respect themselves, Ngahina Gardiner told the crowd after the White Ribbon March.
The march passed up Whanganui's Victoria Ave at midday on Friday. It was led by Whanganui Mayor Hamish McDouall and secondary students.
Behind them were Born and Raised Pasifika children and their teacher, in a waka. Pupils from Whanganui City College and Rutherford Junior High School followed, and at the rear were five White Ribbon Riders on their "stallions" - large, noisy motorbikes.
Social agencies had stalls set up when the march arrived at Majestic Square, and there were several speakers.
Mr Gardiner suggested dads wash the dishes with their sons, and talk to them about showing their emotions.
"It's okay to say "I love you." It's okay to give your father a kiss and a hug. It doesn't make you any less a man or any less a boy."
It's a father's job to talk to boys about sex, he said, and not a school's job.
"It should be us to talk to our sons, about appropriate behaviour to our kotiro, to our wahine, as they get older.
"No means no. It doesn't mean maybe yes. It means no."
Mr McDouall said the kaupapa (theme) of the day was pretty simple.
"Don't offer violence to our taonga, our women."
He supported the "Me too" campaign, of women outing men who assault and harrass them. He had some advice for girls.
"Don't accept guys that will diminish your status as successful, strong, healthy women."
Master of ceremonies Jay Rerekura said the people marching didn't claim to be perfect themselves.
"This is not a march of saints. We aren't all perfect, but we can redeem ourselves."
Many in the crowd got up and took a pledge to treat women respectfully.