News 4

Ashburton Guardian

Saturday, November 26, 2016

www.guardianonline.co.nz

■ WHITE RIBBON DAY

Standing up against violence By Colin EngElBrECht Colin.E@thEguardian.Co.nz

For many Netherby School students their day started with a rumble and a roar as a parade of motorcyclists entered their school. A number of White Ribbon Riders visited the school as part of their week-long White Ribbon Ride. White Ribbon Day, held every year on November 25, is the international day for the elimination of violence towards women. The riders left Picton on October 18 to travel down the South Island visiting schools and other places to talk about respectful relationships and stopping family violence. They travelled down the West Coast stopping off at various towns before hitting Invercargill and now they’re travelling up on the east. Heath Turner – better known as Shrek to his fellow riders – said they finish today. He first got involved with the riders last year when a friend of his invited him to ride with them. “It’s something we all believe in and it’s good to do it,” he said. Other events were held throughout the day and earlier in the week. At lunchtime yesterday a free barbecue was set up on the chessboard on East Street where people could go and sign a pledge against violence towards women. They could also pick up reading material about violence and where to get help. The pledge was signed by a number of Ashburton College

Colin.E@thEguardian.Co.nz

The tagging of Ashburton Borough School overnight Thursday signals the continuing trend of vandalism in the town. A large set of doors was tagged with spray paint at the school and

Unlikely friends A police officer and pig have become unlikely friends. It could have been goodbye pork pie for the starving school pet, stranded in Kaikoura after this month’s earthquake, if not for police feeding it. New Zealand Police posted on social media yesterday saying they were called when the wild pig stopped people getting into their school. When Constable Toni Woodroffe turned up “the pig jumped up on her like a dog” because it was starving. Woodroffe has taken the school pet food a few times so it wouldn’t go hungry. - NZME

One in five text

students as well as mayor Donna Favel and many others. White Ribbon ambassador and social worker Evans Chibanguza said he wanted to spread the message of ending violence against women. He said this year’s campaign focused on respectful campaigns so they were targeting youth. Methven Medical Centre has also been taking part in White Ribbon week and as part of their holistic care they have been asking their patients if they have been affected by intimate partner violence. On average New Zealand Police record 3500 convictions against men for violence on women. Around 14 women a year are killed by their partner.

Ashburton College students sign the pledge to stand up and speak out against violence towards women. PHOTO COLIN ENGELBRECHT 251116-CE-0310

MAYOR TAKES THE PLEDGE Ashburton Mayor Donna Favel has put her support behind ending violence against women, after signing the White Ribbon pledge at yesterday’s district council meeting. Favel said she took the pledge to stand up, speak out and act to prevent men’s violence towards women as a sign of her personal commitment to the White Ribbon cause.

“Family violence is a terrible reality for too many women in our country. It is up to communities to stand up to this kind of behaviour and reject it whenever we can. By working together, we can seek to end this violence and bring about necessary change. It’s about stopping the cycle,” she said. Several Ashburton District councillors also signed the pledge at yesterday’s meeting.

Taggers target Ashburton Borough School By Colin EngElBrECht

In brief

community constable Mark Dryland said it’s not one of the usual signatures. He said the pavilion in the domain was also targeted, but windows were broken instead. Dryland said police received about two reports of tagging each

week. The most important thing with graffiti and tagging is to contact police to report it and then wash it off as soon as possible. Dryland said police keep a database of tagging and they track the offending as new information comes in. He said if people

encounter someone tagging they should immediately call police on 111. Graffiti removal kits are available from Kevin Clifford at Community House and if the graffiti is dealt to within 12 hours the kits are very effective.

One in five Kiwis text while driving, according to a new survey tracking risky driving behaviours. The survey, commissioned by IAG insurance, also found more than 50 per cent of people said they eat or drink while driving – the most common hazardous behaviour identified. It found 14 per cent of people – more than 1 in 8 – said they still took phone calls in the car without a hands-free device. - NZME

Part of mall unsafe Part of a Wellington mall may be demolished after the 7.8 earthquake turned it into a public safety risk. Engineers found part of the Queensgate Shopping Centre carpark would be dangerous if another earthquake happened. The shopping centre itself is structurally sound and open to the public. The Hutt City Council said that it had been told the northeastern building of the complex would be a safety risk in another earthquake. About 80 shops in the unaffected Queensgate Shopping Centre complex have reopened - NZME

Being creative is good Cooking a meal from scratch or knitting a jersey can ward off depression in students, new research suggests. Painting, drawing and writing also helps to boost a sense of well-being to keep spirits high. Experts say these “old-fashioned activities” that are favoured by the Women’s Institute may lead to an upward spiral of emotions in young adults. -NZME

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