Pink to block bullying

Today, May 19, hundreds of people across New Zealand will wear pink t-shirts in e˛ ort to say ‘No!’ to bullying.

Pink Shirt Day is about showing a united front to put a stop to bullying, harassment and discrimination in Aotearoa.

Mental Health Foundation’s chief executive Shaun Robinson says by wearing a pink t-shirt on Friday, May 19 “you’re showing a commitment to creating a kinder, more inclusive Aotearoa where everyone feels safe, valued, and respected regardless of gender identity, sexual orientation, age, ability, religion or cultural background”.

In Tauranga, Bellevue School students are rocking up in their pink t-shirts today

–and have been learning all week about preventing bullying and what to do if someone is being a bully.

Deputy principal Kristen Goodwin says part of what Pink Shirt Day means for their school is acceptance and respect.

“It means being accepting of everybody regardless of who they are, what they look like and what they chose to wear.”

She adds: “I think for our kids it represents our Bellevue School values really well. One of them is about being respectful and that talks about respecting others and respecting their rights”.

“I think one of the key messages is being up-standers not bystanders. Not standing other children.” Kristen says we should all strive to become up-standers – someone who uses words and actions that can help someone who is being bullied.

“Standing up to bullying in all its forms and saying: ‘It’s not okay every day of the year’ is the wero [challenge] I lay to all New Zealanders” says Shaun.

K˝rero Mai, K˝rero Atu, Mauri T˙,