New Zealand rugby players and coaches have been in Rarotonga to promote the "Break the Silence End the Violence" message.
The group of 10 players and coaches agreed to support NZAid's Pacific Prevention of Domestic Violence Programme (PPDVP) - a programme run by NZ Police in five Pacific nations. They returned from the six day trip last week.
Head of the PPDVP in New Zealand, Cam Ronald, said the players were outstanding ambassadors for their sport, and the NZ Police.
"The people of the Pacific, especially the children, are rugby fanatics and for them to see these sportsmen promoting a non-violence message alongside both New Zealand and Cook Islands' Police has a huge impact."
The PPDVP began working with NZ rugby four years ago. Since then more than 40 players have visited countries in the Pacific as part of the programme.
See photos of the players in Rarotonga at: http://www.police.govt.nz/featured/nz-rugby-players-take-family-violence...
2012 Participants
Mark Hammett - Head Coach, Hurricanes
Wally Rifle - Coach, Blues
Mark Ranby - Professional Development Manager, Crusaders and Canterbury Rugby
Awen Guttenbeil - former league player, White Ribbon Ambassador
Thomas Perenara - Hurricanes
Gafatasi Sua - Auckland
Joseph Wheeler - Tasman ITM and Highlanders 2013 squad
Mahonri Schwalger - Chiefs, Counties Manukau
Motu Matu'u - Hurricanes
Albert Nikoro - Blues
Note for media
Participants are available for interviews about their visit to Rarotonga.
Contact
Jane Archibald
Police Public Affairs
04 474 9442
027 568 0267