ManUp wins all three Awards at White Ribbon Dinner.

Oct 28

More than 300 people attended the White Ribbon Awards Dinner tonight in Auckland.

White Ribbon Ambassador George Ngatai said that this was the start of a month long campaign for White Ribbon which holds its international day every year on 25 November 2017.

George said that White Ribbon aims to end men’s violence towards women by encouraging men to lead by example and talk to other men. Together we can make a difference and this year we have a new focus on ensuring our dads have the skills and confidence to talk to their son’s about respectful relationships.

This years campaign is called Raise our Boys.

Tonight’s award evening gave us the opportunity to acknowledge all those who work hard in the community. There are three categories which we received over 20 nominations for which included:

Category 1 - Individuals who contribute to creating a Safer Community

This category was jointly won by Rob Bishop of MANUP and Steve Deakin from Family Action

Category 2 - Individuals who make improvements in their organisations and

This category was won by Mike Ainsin from MANUP

Category 3 - Groups or organisations who contribute to Safer Communities.

This category was won jointly by Te Whariki Ora and the MANUP programme.

The three judges said that this year allowed a wide range of individuals and organisations to participate in these awards and didn’t assist them in making their jobs easy. Inspector Joe Tipene from the NZ Police said that each category was close between first and second which didn’t help them at all. The two other judges included Sharon Thom the General Manager Specialist Services from Orange Tamariki and Dr Lorna Dyall Chair of SAFVPN.

Other nominees included

Category 1 Presented by Dr Nilanjan Roy a newly appointed White Ribbon Ambassador

Wayne Wassell - Orakei Marae
Torowai Kendall - Te Kaha o Te Rangatahi and the youngest nominee at 14 who also won a special award
Tai Faalogo - Pacific Stroke Prevention
Alan Vaa - Iosis

Category 2 - Presented by David Tua

Bob Hawke - Orakei Marae
Shaun Tautali - South Seas
Letti Neri - Arthritis New Zealand
Neru Leavasa - The Whanau Ora Community Clinic
Brian Joyce - Papakura Marae

Category 3 - Presented by Poto Williams Labour Party MP

Te Whare Ruruhau o Meri
Friendship House
Family Action

Raewyn BHANA the Manager of Safer Aotearoa Family Violence Prevention Network the largest Family Violence network group and the Whanau Ora Community Clinic Medical Centre said that this was the 5th year for the White Ribbon dinner and every years it gets bigger and better.

The last event for White Ribbon is on Saturday 25 November 2017 where a “We stand because we Care” March up Queens street to Meyers Park at 10am will be held. All White Ribbon bike riders available and other bikies are converging on Queens Street to support this stand. There is also the Tongan Band, 26 community organisations and families who are coming out to stand as well.

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