WELLINGTON businessmen raced through the central city yesterday in a public show of commitment against domestic violence.

More than 20 teams took part in the White Ribbon Day race, from organisations including the NZ Army, the Police, Mojo Coffee, More FM, Child Youth and Family, BNZ, Bunnings and the National Network for Stopping Violence.

For Maori recording artist Brannigan Kaa, taking part in the race was a way to share his own experience of violence.

Brannigan Kaa and son, Rupuha Paku Kaa. Photos: Carl Suurmond

“I’m in my 50s now and I’ve had an anger problem for quite some time,” he says.

“Domestic violence is a really serious problem amongst my people.”

Since seeking help for his anger, Brannigan, as a member of the National Network for Stopping Violence team, now encourages other men to reach out the way he did.

“I did a course with Wellington Ending Abuse and Violence that changed my way of thinking. It stopped me from doing what I used to do, being so violent and angry.”

Brannigan ran alongside his son, Rupuha Paku Kaa, to send a message of overcoming family violence to other Maori families.

Event organiser Susie Colien-Reid says the race was a way to celebrate the strength of men like Brannigan.

“This race was one way we could think of to get a lot of men together at once in a fun way, a non-threatening way, in a way that they won’t feel judged.”

Susie also encouraged the men to carry on supporting the cause in their everyday lives.

“We want men to take their strength and use it in their workplaces and homes to be examples of non-violent behaviour.”

Former All Black Norm Hewitt spoke to the crowd in Civic Square after the race, encouraging men to support one another to make a change.

“All men are part of the solution to stop violence.” he said. “You don’t need to use your fist to be a man.”

Created with Admarket’s flickrSLiDR.