RATS (Riders Against Teen Suicide) was organised by the Tribal Nations Motorcycle Club based in Ngaruawahia and TNMC member Jack Kani & team of the Puni Rugby Club to raise awareness to teenage suicide. It was held at Puni Rugby Club, Franklin New Zealand.
More than 300 bikes turn up from Ngaruawahia where there was a special powhiri held for all riders, guests and whanau at Turangawaewae Marae.
New Zealand has the highest rate of teen suicide in the developed world. In a normal week two teenagers or two children kill themselves. About 20 young people will be hospitalised for self-harm each week.
The suicide rate is highest amongst males and Māori. In 2014, the rate of suicide among Māori was higher than among non-Māori for both males and females.
Among Māori males the suicide rate was 21.7 per 100,000; 1.4 times that of non-Māori. For Māori females, the suicide rate was 1.5 times that of non-Māori females.
Awareness about suicide helps get the subject out there in order for those sufferers of depression or bullying to be able to find help and understanding from those around them. Tribal Nations Motorcycle Club kaupapa (meaning) carries a strong message based on the word F.A.I.T.H. an acronym for Family, Acceptance, Integrity, Trust and Honesty.
It really does take a village to raise a child and they have the best ability to become a healthy adult if the entire community takes an active role in contributing to the rearing of the child.
Check out https://www.facebook.com/tribalnationsmc/ for more about Tribal Nation.
Watch the video of 300 bikes arriving to Puni Rugby Fields
Click on pictures to enlarge then swipe left
Franklin Life NZ 
What an excellent cause for motorcyclists and a great event. If I was in the area, I would have attended for sure.
LikeLike
Big thanks to Dave Pope (Photography)of franklinlifenz.com/ for covering the event. Did a awesome job. From the members of Tribal Nations MC
LikeLiked by 1 person