A high-profile motorcycle rally championing a violence-free world for women returns to the far North at the end of this month (November).

Bream Bay Community Support Trust – a member agency of the National Network of Stopping Violence, Te Kupenga – will host the Northland leg of the White Ribbon Ride on Saturday November 26.

2011 is the 20th anniversary of White Ribbon which mobilises action to eliminate violence towards women.

This year, the New Zealand campaign organised by the Families Commission includes the White Ribbon Ride in the North and South Islands, Giant Ribbon Pledge Project, Newspaper Pledge Project and White Ribbon Ambassadors.             

Bream Bay Trust trustee Phil Paikea says the annual motorcycle run from Whangarei to Kaitaia unites local communities to own and actively promote the anti-violence approach.

Riders register with a food voucher or donation for Women’s Refuge at the trust headquarters in Ruakaka Village from 9am on November 26. Classic car enthusiasts depart for Kaitaia at 9.30am followed by the motorcyclists at 10.00am, with stops scheduled for Kaeo and Awanui.

As well as representatives from the Patriots Defence Forces Motorcycle Club, the riders will include a new group, Te Ahi Kikoha (the sharpened flame), made up of Maori men committed to the anti-violence kaupapa.

A community leader and former gang member who studied at the ‘school of hard knocks’, Paikea works with men and adolescent boys to help them to stop using violence.

“The White Ribbon campaign is about men talking to men in ways that men understand – that’s why we use motorcycles to convey the message that you can be tough but you can’t bring that aggression into the home.

”White Ribbon sees men as part of the solution and the White Ribbon Ride is an opportunity to showcase men who have rejected violence. It’s a powerful medium to see these fullas riding Harleys while they reinforce a non-violent message of love and respect.”

The Northland ride was first organised by Bream Bay Trust in 2007 and grew to include the entire North Island in 2009. In 2011, riders will attend some 80 functions and events throughout the country connecting with communities from Bream Bay in the far north to Gore in the deep south.

Anyone can join the ride providing they have a valid licence, warranted bike with a minimum engine size of 250cc and are willing to take the pledge never to commit, condone or remain silent about violence towards women.

To contact Bream Bay Community Support Trust, phone Phil Paikea or Sue Rudman on 09 432 7197 or 021 121 0763. Further information on the White Ribbon Ride is available at www.whiteribbon.org.nz or go to www.nnsvs.org.nz for more information about the National Network of Stopping Violence, Te Kupenga.

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For more information, contact Bream Bay Community Support Trust: Phil Paikea on mobile 021 121 0763 or email ppaikea@hotmail.com; or Sue Rudman on mobile 027 255 0725 or email admin@bbtrust.org.nz.