Dressed in black leathers, men on motorcycles roared into all four Waitaki secondary schools yesterday to share key messages against family violence with pupils.
This year, the South Island White Ribbon ride could not pass through North Otago, so a Waitaki Safer Community working group organised its own with funding from It's Not OK and Age Concern.
The 2014 ride involved about 17 bikers, from the North Otago and Otago branches of the Ulysses Club of NZ and the Whitestone Motorcycle Touring Club, and one car from the Whitestone Rodders.
Addressing the Waitaki Boys' High School junior school yesterday, after visits to East Otago High School, St Kevin's College and Waitaki Girls' High School, Senior Sergeant Jason McCoy said a third of women nationally were involved in violent relationships.
''We're here to say that is not OK,'' Snr Sgt McCoy said.
''It's all about making sure that our community in the Waitaki is safe, safe from violence.''
Lesley Elliott and Ulysses North Otago co-ordinator Bruce Thacker also addressed the pupils of each school.
Adding a ''local flavour'' to the ride appeared to resonate with the pupils.
''It gave our schools more of an experience,'' Waitaki District Council community safety and development facilitator Helen Algar said.
''That really raises awareness at a local level.''
Mr Thacker hoped local riders would be involved in spreading awareness each year.
Tonight, a community debate is to be held at the Oamaru Opera House, another event to raise awareness about family violence.
It starts at 7pm and entry is by a gold coin donation with proceeds going to the Sophie Elliott Foundation.
