A regional hui is calling on Northland men to take responsibility, walk the talk and take action against domestic violence.
A Call to Men 2015 is a hui implemented by the It's not OK campaign. At the forefront of the Northland hui is Phil Paikea who said the hui was the chance to open up conversation about domestic violence and look at ways men could practically help.
"You look at statistics they will tell you that more of these incidents are carried out by men. Some people will tell us we're bashing men but we're not - there are good uncles, brothers, fathers, grandfathers," he said "I want to do something more than raising awareness. I have all these ideas swirling around in my head I want to put across at this hui."
A report last year found that Northland had the country's second highest rate of deaths due to family violence and on Wednesday police were investigating a serious domestic assault that occurred on Tuesday evening and left a Northland woman fighting for her life.
"There are a lot of hui for women's refuge for women but this is for men and men only. In no way is it about taking a [dig] at women, it's about men becoming part of the solution," said Mr Paikea.
Guest speakers at the hui include Te Taitokerau MP Kelvin Davis, Dr Michael Roguski, Vic Tamati, Russell Waetford and Hone Mihaka.
Mr Paikea, an It's not OK speaker, said on the second day of the three-day hui Mr Mihaka, from Taimai Waka Tours, would be taking the men down the Waitangi River in a waka.
"He will be giving a narrative of culture and history and the sacredness of women. It's about getting out of conference rooms and if we can get out into the environment and hear Hone talk about that - it's special."
The Northland hui will be held at Parawhenua Marae, Te Ahuahu. Mr Paikea said hosting the event in a small town was a way to reach out to isolated communities.
"When we did the White Ribbon Ride we went to all the central towns. This is a way for people in those more isolated areas to be able to attend the hui and not have to travel far," he said.
The hui will kick off on May 8 with a powhiri at 6pm and will continue until May 10. The Northland hui is the first of a set of hui that will be carried out throughout the year.