On Friday 19th May; We wear pink!
This Friday, Aotearoa will become a sea of pink as schools, workplaces, and communities join the Pink Shirt Day movement.
Pink Shirt Day is a global initiative to stamp out bullying in all its nasty forms. This is a day for celebrating diversity and promoting kindness and inclusion.
Keep reading to learn more about this important day, how you can get involved, and why you need to get your pink shirt out, ready to show your support!
What is Pink Shirt Day?
Pink Shirt Day is about working together to stop bullying by celebrating diversity and promoting kindness and inclusiveness.
It’s about creating a community where everyone feels safe, valued and respected, regardless of gender identity, sexual orientation, age, ability, religion or cultural background.
Pink Shirt Day began in Canada in 2007 when two students took a stand against homophobic bullying after a new student was harassed for wearing pink. It’s been celebrated in Aotearoa since 2009, and the campaign grows stronger and larger every year.
What does ‘Kōrero Mai, Kōrero Atu, Mauri Tū, Mauri Ora – Speak Up, Stand Together, Stop Bullying’ mean?
You don’t need us to tell you how horrible experiencing bullying can be. Bullying behaviours have no place in our communities, whether at school, the workplace or online.
The NZ Pink Shirt Day website has created an excellent portal of resources to help us support those who experience bullying and take positive action to stop it from repeating.
Here’s a look at what the slogan, Speak Up, Stand Up, Stop Bullying, means:
Kōrero Mai, Kōrero Atu – Speak Up
“’Kōrero Mai, Kōrero Atu’ means to speak up and speak out about bullying. ‘Speak Up’ refers to having conversations with your friends, whānau, children, kaiako/teachers, tauira/students and wider communities to develop ideas and strategies to address bullying. ‘Speak Up’ is also about asking for help when needed. This can be scary, and sometimes the first person you ask can’t or won’t do anything to help you. Keep asking. Pink Shirt Day shows many people care about supporting you.”
Mauri Tū, Mauri Ora – Stand Together
“’Mauri Tū, Mauri Ora’ means to stand together in life and wellness. ‘Stand Together’ refers to how bullying behaviour is influenced by the actions and values of friends, whānau, schools, kura, workplaces and whole communities. Real change happens when we Stand Together, sending a strong message that there is no place for bullying in Aotearoa. Bullying often makes people feel alone, but Pink Shirt Day shows many care. Many people want to play their part in making Aotearoa a safe, welcoming and respectful place for everyone, regardless of age, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, ability, or cultural background.”
3 Ways to Get Involved this Pink Shirt Day
There are lots of ways to get involved this Friday – and all year round – to help stamp out bullying!
Here are three of our favourite ways to engage with Pink Shirt Day 2023:
1. Have a ‘wear pink’ non-uniform or dress-up day.
Whether you choose to do this on Friday 19th of May or another day that suits you – wearing pink together makes a bright, bold statement that we will not stand for bullying!
Cotton On stores have an official Pink Shirt Day t-shirt available, with 100% of net proceeds going to the Mental Health Foundation, but any pink shirt will do!
2. Stream the Pink Shirt Day waiata by PERE.
Share a dance and sing-along at school, your workplace, or a local community group!
The entirely Te Reo track is all about finding your strength, resilience and community in the face of bullying.
3. Share information about Pink Shirt Day on socials.
Whether you reshare content from the official Pink Shirt Day accounts, snap a photo of yourself, friends or school in your pink shirts, or shout about it in a school newsletter – get the word out there!
The Pink Shirt Day website has put together a draft blurb you may like to use in your school newsletter or social pages.
The NZ Pink Shirt Day website has a fantastic range of classroom and workplace resources and activities we encourage everyone to explore.
Kōrero Mai, Kōrero Atu, Mauri Tū, Mauri Ora!
Speak Up, Stand Together, Stop Bullying!
Kua rite koe? Are you in?
