March for Moko brings together all sides of the domestic violence debate
Saturday, 21 May 2016
Reformed thugs joined bereaved mothers, patched gang members, and young children to pay special tribute to the short life of a young boy who has come to symbolise domestic violence in New Zealand.
March for Moko events brought together people from all sides of the domestic violence spectrum on Sunday, as thousands turned out to demand better protection of New Zealand's children after the horrific death of Moko Rangitoheriri.
The Auckland march began at 1pm in Aotea Square.
Around 1000 people gathered in support of Moko and other child victims of domestic violence.
**READ MORE:
* Duncan Garner: A little boy is dead – now who will march for Moko?
* Pair plead guilty to Taupo boy's manslaughter
* How the Moko Rangitoheriri case unfolded
* Moko Rangitoheriri's mum speaks for the first time since the toddler's death**
Many of the marchers were mums who had brought their kids along. But there was also a Mongrel Mob member and patched members of the Bikers Against Child Abuse Auckland chapter.
The demonstrators carried small fragile hands made of blue paper on popsicle sticks. A little boy had a placard that read, 'Don't hurt us.'
They heard speeches from advocates including organiser Karis Vesey, Labour Party spokesperson for children Jacinda Ardern, and stopping domestic violence advocate Vic Tamati.
'I feel like what we're here for today is to call for that change, to create a New Zealand where we don't have every second day a child admitted to hospital with injuries that have been inflicted upon them,' Ardern said.
Tamati, a former perpetrator of domestic violence, talked about the hurt he had inflicted on those around him. Those people included his mother, his wife, his children, neighbours, family relations.
He went for help in 1992, and realised everything he knew about being a man was wrong.
'I grew up in the darkness. I thought bashing up was okay. … I was so, so wrong.'
He said it was a man's job to stand up to domestic violence, not perpetrate it.
Tamati asked the men in the crowd to take up his challenge: declaring New Zealand a family violence-free zone.
The marches began at 11am on Sunday in Lower Hutt, where about 200 people turned out to call for an end to the killing of our children.
A soft rain began to fall as organiser Anaru Moke told marchers 'we all know why we are here', which was down to New Zealand's 'heartbreaking' child abuse statistics.
Another organiser, Tash Lajpold, said Moko's tale 'broke each of our hearts'.
Star Olsen, who was at the hui, said: 'I knew I had to say something that was in the pit of my stomach'.
'The hardest word for a lot of Maori males to say is sorry.'
Anaru Moke, a tattooed Mongrel Mob member, was a victim of violence as a child.
'I was bashed myself, who wasn't? You know, we went through a hard life, me and my brothers and sisters.
'I do not want that for the future of my kids or my loved ones.'
He said he was now breaking the cycle for his own 11 children, some of whom were at the hui.
'I'm not here to represent the bros, the Mob. I'm here as a father, I'm here as a grandfather, and I'm also here as a New Zealander.'
In Christchurch over 1000 people showed up to march from Cranmer Square to Hagley Park to honour Moko's life.
Guest speakers included Poto Williams, community advocate Ariana Wilson and the mother of a woman who had been killed by a former partner.
Cheryl Tovizi lost her daughter Alexsis Tovizi in 2010 when Nikki Roper strangled her to death.
'She left behind a precious three year old boy who wishes he could bring his mum back from heaven,' she said.
'We need to learn to read the signs and to speak up. It is up to us to do something and to do something now.
'Not one more baby should die at the hands of the people who are supposed to be looking them.'
Separate events are being held in Whangarei, Auckland, Hamilton and Nelson.
David Haerewa and Tania Shailer kicked, slapped, stomped on Moko and rubbed faeces in his face in the weeks before his death. The pair pleaded guilty to his manslaughter and will be sentenced in July.
The child was so badly beaten, his mother struggled to recognise him when she had to identify his body.
In Nelson around 600 people turned out for the I will march for Moko Nelson event,surpassing organiser's' expectations by three times.
The event was organised by the Nelson Tasman Te Rito network of family violence intervention agencies.
People of all ages took part, from older people to families with children, the youngest probably being 9-week old Hezekiah who came with his parents Liam and Dakota Wesney Hurtado.
There was a one minute silence for Moko, speeches, a march and the laying of flowers on the steps of Nelson Cathedral.
Trish Reid, who came with her family, said; 'I am here to make a stand, I am here so no children are treated badly, and for the justice system to hold people to account.'
Speakers included Willow Duffy of the child abuse education charity Safeguarding Children Initiative, whose message was that it was the responsibility of communities to protect the children around them.
'We need to ask the why question: why is that child always hungry, or always dirty, or frightened of a family member?
'Don't ask 'what if I am wrong'. Ask 'what if I am right?''
The most moving speech of the day came from Jessica Tuhua, 9, who talked about how she felt about the death of Moko.
'Dear Moko, you brave boy. What they did to you was despicable.
'No one deserves to be treated the way you were. I can't feel your pain but I know it was hard for you. I hate to think of what has happened, but it is important to write about it, and honour you.'
The event was organised by a group called A.S.K - Angels Saving Kids. The mothers said they wanted to encourage people to ask when they were concerned about a child or family and ask for help.
Meanwhile, Justice Minister ordered a report into whether law changes were needed after Moko's killers had their murder charges downgraded to manslaughter.
Adams confirmed she had asked for a report from officials on whether Moko's case highlighted any systemic issues with the law around murder and manslaughter.
Despite the outcry of the manslaughter charges, Prime Minister John Key said a review of sentencing in child abuse cases was not needed.