He was paying tribute to his mother, Carol "Tunnie" Taylor at a White Ribbon Day ceremony in Wellington.

Twenty-one years on from her death he said it was the families left behind who were given the life sentence.

"I believe that unfortunately our judges are getting it wrong," he said. "The best thing I can do is give you advice. Let them know as a collective voice that they are getting it wrong.

"Offenders are getting off with slaps on the wrist for hitting our women and it is not good enough. 

"Somehow, as a collective, we have to let prosecutors, the DPP and all these people in power who can make a difference, we need to let them know."

With the theme of "Wellington remembers", families of those lost to domestic violence unveiled a memorial chair for their loved ones in Cameron Park and spoke firsthand about how domestic violence destroys lives.

Carol Taylor, Natalie Towney and Lisa Clymer were each remembered, and more names will be added to the plaque. 

Wellington Family and Domestic Violence Collective secretary Robyn Edwards said she hoped these women would be remembered and that their loss might encourage everyone to take their part in ending domestic and family violence within the community. 

"All of the women who are remembered here today have paid the ultimate price of continuing in violent relationships with their lives," she said.

"I can honestly remember personally the shock of learning of each of these deaths and in recalling my dealings with each and every one of these women.

"Carol Taylor's death, we know her as Tunnie, was reported to me as a coroner on New Year's Day, Natalie's just before Christmas, and Lisa's disappearance was unsolved for almost eight years until I got a phone call from a detective asking me about my interactions with Lisa.

"In the words of the coroner, Janet Stevenson, at Natalie's inquest 'I hope the community of Wellington will use Natalie's death as a rallying call that domestic violence will not be tolerated, that if people know of domestic violence they will do everything to encourage that person to complain. If we do not recognise the problems with domestic violence then Natalie's death will have had no benefit'."

Schools in Wellington took part in the day, having talks in class about respectful relationships, tying white balloons with their written pledges along the fence and making a slideshow.