It's Not OK campaign champion Vic Tamati spoke at the Milton Town and Country Club on Tuesday night about family violence.
He will also speak at other events in the Clutha district this week.
Mr Tamati said a lot of violence and abuse was not reported to police.
''Only 18% to 20% [is reported] so that iceberg is huge.''
He was invited to South Otago by Anglican Family Care team leader Jane Hutton, who wanted to bring the campaign south.
Domestic and family violence was not talked about enough in South Otago, she said.
Up to 18 instances of family violence were reported in South Otago each fortnight, which was a large amount for such a small area.
Mr Tamati said he had been a perpetrator of family violence in the past but had reformed himself.
He acknowledged the work groups such as Anglican Family Care performed in the community, but said it was important men addressed the issue, as there would be little change if they did not.
Most of those who dealt with family violence were women, and yet men were the biggest perpetrators.
''We have to take the lead and we have to make the changes.''
At the end of the week, Mr Tamati said, he would be pleased if even just one man was prepared to be a champion and stand up to say ''no more''.
He spoke at Telford Rural Polytechnic yesterday and was scheduled to be at the Milton Wellness expo and the Clutha District Council today.
He will also attend a sausage sizzle held in his honour at the Balclutha Touch Rugby Grounds this afternoon.
-by Samuel White
