White Ribbon riders raise awareness, win fans

The rolling thunder of more than two dozen White Ribbon riders hit Wairarapa yesterday during their nationwide mission to speak out about violence against women.

Masterton husband and father Takurua Tawera, a White Ribbon rider for four years, leads the East Wind group of about 30 riders and passengers on their seven-day tour that started at the weekend in Rotorua.

A lead group of riders steer three convoys through 80 towns in North and South islands with support riders joining along the way.

Events ranging from schools visits to marches and breakfasts are held in each town through which the convoys pass.

Riders are drawn from a number of groups including the Patriots Defence Force Motorcycle Club, the Super Maori Fullas and Masterton's Te Hau Ora Runaga group, Te Ahi Kikoha, which Mr Tawera leads.

The East Wind group travelled a central path south with the West Wind group as far as Ngati Wehi Wehi marae near Otaki on Sunday night.

The combined group of more than 50 riders separated yesterday and the East Wind group travelled via Wellington to Wairarapa.

The campaign won clear approval yesterday afternoon on a stretch of Fergusson Drive, Mr Tawera said, where more than 100 schoolchildren lined the roadside with community members and danced a haka as the riders passed.

"It was awesome, absolutely awesome. It was like the community supported us and were telling us what we were doing is the right thing."

At least half a dozen Wairarapa riders accompanied the group to the Family Works Centre at Turret House in Featherston yesterday afternoon.

With them was White Ribbon ambassador David White, whose daughter Helen was murdered by her husband Greg Meads in September 2009 when she told him she was leaving him after years of abuse. Mr White, who wrote HELEN - The Helen Meads Tragedy, said he and his family "had paid the ultimate price" for not speaking out about an abusive relationship.

"I am riding to reinforce the message that families must do what we didn't. If you think there is a member of your family in danger, there must be no silent acceptance and the attitudes of men must be changed.

"There are places to go for help and plans that can be made to ensure safety for any family member at risk. We paid the price and we don't want other families walking in our shoes."