In February this year, there were 246 reported incidents of family violence. That's an appalling statistic made worse by the fact that this figure relates to Manawatu alone.

The It's not OK message is a national campaign initiated by the Ministry of Social Development. A large part of the success of the campaign is about community ownership with the campaign supporting local projects developed to fit local needs.

Family violence impacts our whole community and we are heartened by the commitment the organising committee have dedicated to getting this message out to Manawatu families.

So many people have volunteered their time to make this a successful campaign in the Manawatu, so keep your eyes open and ears tweaked for a carefully co-ordinated campaign created by our very own flock including radio, press, PR, general promotion and Tiki Taane performing at a school near you.

One of the most important aspects to this campaign is the engagement with young people. Local teams of school children are being invited to enter a competition to write a radio advertisement for the campaign. Sam West from The Edge will choose the top 5 scripts, which will go up onto the website for public voting.

The winning team will have their script professionally recorded, win an iPad 2 each and will enjoy a performance by Tikki Taane at their school. Details of the competition are on the website below.

Our for-a-good-cause campaign finished on a high note with a free concert performed by Tiki Taane at Palmerston North Intermediate School in November. Four ipads were given away to the lucky winners of our radio script competition. Family violence impacts our whole community and it's OK to ask for help. FREE TXT 234. Thanks to our ambassadors; Levi Sheridan, Kayla Sharland, Coach Dan, Tiki Taane and Aaron Cruden. See more pics here.

  www.studentcity.net.nz/familyviolence