ME NEXT: Upokangaro School principal Warren Brown and White Ribbon Riders Ngahina Gardiner, Hohepa Albert, Stephen Rewiti, Bryan Coskerie, Chris Malcom, Bob Anderson, Marc McKenzie and Terri Cawston.
ME NEXT: Upokangaro School principal Warren Brown and White Ribbon Riders Ngahina Gardiner, Hohepa Albert, Stephen Rewiti, Bryan Coskerie, Chris Malcom, Bob Anderson, Marc McKenzie and Terri Cawston.
Three groups of White Ribbon riders are taking their motorbikes around the country to spread the message that domestic violence is not okay.
Wanganui riders stopped in at Upokongaro School to give children rides around the back paddock before meeting up with out-of-town riders and heading in to Majestic Squarefor the main White Ribbon march. The schoolchildren were excited to ride pillion on Triumph, Harley-Davidson and Ducati motorbikes, but they weren't fussy about the makes and models.
"I was nervous before I went on but I loved it and I want to go again," said Mya Mahoney.
All said it was their first ride on a motorbike - and all of them were keen for another go, especially Tremaine Lemalie who said: "I'm gonna get me one of those when I grow up."
Other North Island riders arrived from Ohakune and it was time for a haka before the kids boarded the bus to join the march in Victoria Ave.
Wellington White Ribbon rider Dempsey Broad said he had enjoyed spreading the anti-violence message. "We had a go at gumboot throwing in Taihape and challenged the mayor to a contest with a bet of $50."
Rangitikei mayor Andy Watson lost the contest and had to donate the money to the White Ribbon appeal.
Upokongaro principal Warren Brown said it was good for the school to attend the march. "There are so many good things going on in Wanganui and we love to get kids involved, but domestic violence is something that needs to be fixed and we can all lend our voices to that."
