Principal, judge to take on anti-violence campaign roles

Hastings Intermediate School kaumatua Henare O'Keefe (left) with principal Andrew Shortcliffe, guest speaker Judge Peter Boshier and Judge Paul von Dadelszen at the school's annual academy capping ceremony. Photo / Warren Buckland

A Hastings principal and a Havelock North judge have been made national ambassadors for the anti-violence campaign, White Ribbon.

Hastings Intermediate School principal Andrew Shortcliffe and the distinguished Judge Paul von Dadelszen were appointed to their new roles last night by Judge Peter Boshier, guest speaker at the school's 2015 capping ceremony.

Judge Boshier, who travelled to Hastings from Wellington for the event, is the patron of the White Ribbon campaign, a family court judge and a law commissioner with the New Zealand Law Commission.

White Ribbon is a national campaign which aims to reduce violence towards women.

"Ambassadors are people of high standing who we've nominated to represent the men's anti-family violence movement," Judge Boshier said.

"Andrew with his strong leadership is, to us, a good role model. Family violence is a significant issue and when you look at the sort of attitudes like the type we saw in [the Roast Busters scandal], you have to wonder who the role models are. This is about giving kids at an impressionable age good role models in the community."

Earlier in the day, Judge Boshier also gave a workshop to school leaders at Hastings Intermediate.

Judge von Dadelszen is also a Companion of the Queen's Service Order for services to the family court.