Pink Shirt day is an annual bullying prevention campaign celebrates all around the world.

This campaign was originally started from Canada in 2007 after a High school boy wearing a pink shirt and all other colleagues were bullied him just because he was wearing Pink. After this incident, two of the teachers (Travis Price and David Shepherd )  decided they had to do something. Consequently, they convinced of their fellow students to wear Pink clothes to school next day as a support to this issue. 

This campaign is not just about the shirt, it’s about your actions and choices. Pink shirt is a symbol for the fight against bullying.

Here in New Zealand, Pink shirt day is to increase Aroha ( Love ), Kindness and end bullying.  The purpose of this day is to increase awareness of the impact of bullying as on people’s mental health and wellbeing. Just like physical health, Person’s mental health issues can affect their learning, work life and overall health and wellbeing as people who are bullied are more likely to experience mental health issues.  From this campaign, they make the awareness to be an up stander and speak up if they see a situation of bullying and how to tell someone you can trust. 

On May 19th almost all of the schools in New Zealand celebrate this day by wearing Pink and teachers are showing their students how empathy plays a crucial role in preventing bullying and promote a culture of kindness and respect. 

They give guidance how to prevent a bullying situation and safe place and safe way to go and talk. Also, schools run several activities and students are asked to bring a gold coin donation in support of Bully Free week. All money raised will be donated to Mental Health Foundation