David White (domestic abuse campaigner)

David White MNZM
White in 2023
Born	David John White 1944or1945(age 80–81)
Occupations	Domestic violence prevention campaigner author
Known for	Anti-domestic violence advocacy following the murder of his daughter

David John White MNZM (born 1944or1945) ^[1] is a New Zealand domestic violence prevention advocate and author. He became known for his campaigning following the murder of his daughter, Helen Meads, in 2009. White has worked throughout New Zealand to raise awareness of family violence and its prevention. In 2023, he was appointed a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to the prevention of family violence.

Early life

White worked as a bookseller for Whitcombe and Tombs in Wellington before running his own bookshop. ^[2]

Advocacy

In September 2009, White’s daughter, Helen Meads, was murdered by her husband, Greg Meads, at their home in Matamata. ^[3] The murder occurred shortly after Helen expressed her intention to leave the relationship. The case brought significant media attention and later inspired White’s advocacy. ^{[4] [5] [6]}

After the death of his daughter, White became an outspoken campaigner against domestic violence. He has written two books on the subject, ^[7] petitioned MPs, ^[1] and spoken to schools, prisons, community groups, and government agencies. He also addressed the national family violence specialist course run by the New Zealand Police at the Royal New Zealand Police College. ^[8] In 2019, he conducted a 14-week speaking tour titled "Harm Ends – Futures Begin", visiting all 71 electorates in New Zealand. ^{[8] [9] [10]}

White has been a White Ribbon Campaign ambassador since 2011. ^[11] He has also served as a trustee and ambassador for Grandparents Raising Grandchildren Trust NZ. ^[12] White also contributed to the Ruapehu Whānau Transformation Plan, a five-year community-led initiative aimed at reducing domestic violence, which met its key targets by the end of its term.^{[ citation needed ]}

Honours and awards

In 2020, White was nominated for the New Zealander of the Year award. ^{[13] [14]} In the 2023 King's Birthday Honours, he was appointed a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit, for services to the prevention of family violence. ^{[15] [16]}

Personal life

White resides in Matamata with his wife, Pam. Following their daughter’s death, they became caregivers to their granddaughters. ^[12] Though largely retired from active campaigning, he continues to support initiatives aimed at ending family violence. ^[17]

Selected publications

• White, David (2024). Helen: The Helen Meads Tragedy. Matilda Press. ISBN   9781877378508.
• White, David (2016). Family Violence: Lifting New Zealand's Dark Cloud. Renaissance Publishing. ISBN   9780994133403.

References

1. Garner, Duncan (10 May 2025). "David White's daughter was murdered – so he's fighting to ensure yours isn't". New Zealand Listener . Retrieved 14 June 2025– via nzherald.co.nz.
2. "David White". The Underground Bookstore. Retrieved 14 June 2025.
3. "Killer could be out in 11 years: family stunned". RNZ . 31 March 2011. Archived from the original on 22 February 2024. Retrieved 7 June 2025.
4. "Family relieved Meads found guilty of murder". Otago Daily Times . 29 October 2010. Retrieved 7 June 2025.
5. "A Moment in Crime: Murder in the stables: The cruel killing of Helen Meads". Apple podcasts. 31 March 2022. Retrieved 7 June 2025.
6. Quill, Annemarie (22 February 2024). "Millionaire wife-killer Gregory Meads released from prison". Stuff . Retrieved 7 June 2025.
7. Philip Matthews (30 June 2016). "David White: 'Even the most violent person can change.'". Stuff . Archived from the original on 14 June 2025. Retrieved 14 June 2025.
8. "On the road to Harm's End". New Zealand Police . 25 February 2019. Archived from the original on 17 April 2025. Retrieved 14 June 2025.
9. Posselt, Viv (13 December 2019). "For domestic abusers, silence is golden". Cambridge News. Archived from the original on 9 February 2023. Retrieved 6 June 2025.
10. "Father of murdered woman Helen Meads embarks on Kiwi road trip to stop domestic violence". The New Zealand Herald . 16 February 2019. Archived from the original on 18 January 2021. Retrieved 14 June 2025.
11. "White Ribbon Campaign launches with a new Ambassador". Community Scoop. 7 November 2011. Archived from the original on 20 February 2022. Retrieved 6 June 2025.
12. "Grandparents Raising Grandchildren Trust NZ pays tribute to King's Birthday Honours recipient David White". Scoop . 5 June 2023. Archived from the original on 6 June 2023. Retrieved 6 June 2025.
13. McCann, Rob (19 August 2019). "New Zealander of the Year nominee – David White". Whiteribbon. Retrieved 7 June 2025.
14. "2020 New Zealander of the Year Awards Update". Scoop . 13 August 2019. Archived from the original on 29 February 2024. Retrieved 7 June 2025.
15. "King's Birthday and Coronation Honours List 2023". Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. 5 June 2023. Archived from the original on 4 June 2023. Retrieved 6 June 2025.
16. "The King's Birthday and Coronation Honours List 2023 – Citations for Members of the New Zealand Order of Merit". Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. 15 June 2023. Archived from the original on 15 February 2025. Retrieved 14 June 2025.
17. Katie Ham (25 May 2025). "A grieving father's crusade against family violence". The Post . Retrieved 14 June 2025.