Instead of protesting, a mental health advocate will now enjoy a meal at a curry-eating competition in Christchurch tonight.
Two Fat Indians restaurant on Colombo Street drew the ire of Waata Keating with its promotion, which saw participants enter the "Suicide Curry National Championship 2019" for a chance to win free curry once a week for an entire year.
On a Facebook page promoting the event , Two Fat Indians wrote, "If you can finish our Suicide curry as per the terms and conditions then you will win 52 x 1 curry of your choice. Which mean you can choose 1 curry of your choice at the Two Fat Indians restaurant every week for a whole year.
"Not only that, we also honour you with a Suicide curry T-shirt that will have special Suicide curry note. This will help you to show off your achievement of handling hot food successfully."
Mr Keating, a mental health advocate who lost his brother to suicide, said in a Facebook live post that the event was "disgusting" and "not acceptable" due to the country's high suicide rate.
"I'm going down to Two Fat Indians restaurant and park the ute right by their door because they're promoting a challenge and they're using suicide to promote it, and that's disgusting and yeah, I'm still rather pissed about it," Mr Keating said.
The ute was to be covered in the names of people lost to suicide, he told 1 NEWS.
However, the protest is off after owner Nasir Khan decided to change the name to the "Hot as Hell Curry National Championship".
He apologised for the name and said it was never his intention to offend anyone.
So instead, Mr Keating and Graeme Russell, who has worked in suicide prevention for a number of years, plan on going to the event to have a meal and thank the owner.
Where to get help:
Need to Talk? Free call or text 1737 any time to speak to a trained counsellor, for any reason.
Lifeline: 0800 543 354
Suicide Crisis Helpline: 0508 828 865 / 0508 TAUTOKO (24/7)
Depression Helpline: 0800 111 757 (24/7)
Samaritans: 0800 726 666 (24/7)
Youthline: 0800 376 633 (24/7) or free text 234 (8am-12am), or email talk@youthline.co.nz
What's Up: online chat (7pm-10pm) or 0800 WHATSUP / 0800 9428 787 children's helpline (1pm-10pm weekdays, 3pm-10pm weekends)
Kidsline (ages 5-18): 0800 543 754 (24/7)
Rural Support Trust Helpline: 0800 787 254
Healthline: 0800 611 116
Rainbow Youth: (09) 376 4155
Safe to talk National Sexual Harm Helpline - 0800 044 334, www.safetotalk.nz
Victim Support National 24 Hour Helpline 0800 842 846, www.victimsupport.org.nz
Rape Crisis National 24 Hour Helpline 0800 883300
If it is an emergency and you feel like you or someone else is at risk, call 111.
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