Riders oppose domestic violence

Aaron Morrison at the start of the Waitakere White Ribbon Ride  earlier this month. Riders will...
Aaron Morrison at the start of the Waitakere White Ribbon Ride earlier this month. Riders will arrive in Queenstown on Friday. Photo supplied.
Anyone with a motorcycle of more than 250cc is being encouraged to join the White Ribbon Ride in Queenstown this week.

Motorcyclists supporting the ride have travelled the length of New Zealand this month and by the time it finishes, on November 29, they will have delivered anti-violence messages to more than 60 communities.

On Friday, riders will arrive in Queenstown where men taking part will be encouraged to take the White Ribbon pledge - never to commit, condone or remain silent about violence towards women.

Although many riders had lived with, or through violence, many had not.

However, rider Aaron Morrison said everyone participating knew how damaging domestic violence was.

''As men, we shouldn't ever allow violence into our homes. It's a destructive force, full stop.

''I've met children who are violent because they mimic their parents, grandparents who are violent and still passing on those attitudes to the whole family, and parents who haven't worked out that their actions are shaping the lives of their mokopuna,'' Mr Morrison said.

While walking away from violence was not easy, it was possible and the support of friends could make all the difference.

Mr Morrison encouraged men to join the ride, which was alcohol-free, and help to influence others and show that New Zealand men would not accept violence.

This is the sixth White Ribbon Ride.

The riders will arrive in Wanaka on Thursday afternoon, travel to Alexandra on Friday morning, leaving The Terrace School at 11.45am for Queenstown, and are expected to arrive at Queenstown Primary School at 1pm, then leaving for Invercargill at 3.30pm.

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