If one person can benefit from listening to anti-violence advocate Matt Brown speak, then it was worth bringing him here, Ōamaru Rotary Club president Sven Thelning says. 

The New Zealand-born Samoan author and public speaker, is talking at the Waitaki Boys’ High School auditorium on March 14, at 7pm, and at lunchtime the following day will address pupils at Waitaki Girls’ High School.

Both events were free, and the evening was open to the public. There was no target audience, as family violence affected all demographics, Sven said.

The evening was the idea of a fellow member of Rotary who wanted to “do something” about family violence.

“And it’s a pretty difficult area to ‘do something’ in,” Sven said.

“He’s got personal experience, and he speaks on that, which is pretty confronting obviously, but someone needs to, and he is, so we wanted to get him down.”

As a survivor of family violence and childhood sexual abuse, Matt shares his story with the men who frequent his busy Christchurch barbershop, My Fathers Barbers, as a way to foster vulnerability, healing, and connection.

As an internationally acclaimed barber and hair artist, his clients range from All Blacks to the Wu Tang Clan, but he is most passionate about working to redefine society’s view of masculinity and to help end the cycle of domestic violence affecting whānau all over New Zealand.

With the help of wife Sarah, he released his book She Is Not Your Rehab in 2021, with a goal to encourage intergenerational healing. He also gave a Ted Talk launching the concept in 2019, which has had more than 132,000 views on YouTube.

Matt described the movement as "an invitation for men to acknowledge their own childhood trauma and to take responsibility for their healing, so they can address their pain instead of transmitting it onto those around them".

He has facilitated multiple programmes inside Christchurch Men's Prison, Te Puna Wai O Tuhinapo - a Christchurch youth justice facility, and was named a Corrections New Zealand patron in 2020.

Since 2018, Matt and Sarah had partnered with the Ministry of Social Development as ambassadors for their It's not OK Campaign, and are currently funded to develop an app to promote healing for indigenous men.

Both Sarah and Matt became members of the New Zealand Order of Merit in 2022 and were awarded a Commonwealth Points of Light award by Queen Elizabeth II before her death.

WARNING: Contains adult content, and references to self-harm and suicide.

Family or Sexual Violence

If you are a victim of family violence, sexual violence or there is someone that makes you fearful, threatens or harasses you, seek help as soon as possible. You have the right to be safe.

The following helplines available for people needing help:

• Safe to Talk  sexual harm helpline: 0800 044334, text: 4334, email: [email protected]
• Rape Crisis: 0800 88 33 00
• Women's Refuge: 0800 733 843
• Shine domestic abuse services  free call: 0508 744 633 (24/7, Live Webchat is also available)
• Hey Bro helpline  - supporting men to be free from violence 0800 HeyBro (439 276)

Suicide or Mental Distress

Need to talk? 1737, free 24/7 phone and text number

Lifeline Lifeline Aotearoa: 0800 543 354 (0800 LIFELINE)

Suicide Crisis Helpline: 0508 828 865 (0508 TAUTOKO)

General mental health inquiries: 0800 443 366

The Depression Helpline: 0800 111 757

Youthline: 0800 376 633, free text 234 or email [email protected] or online chat

Samaritans: 0800 726 666