By Bev Bell | Posted: Tuesday May 4, 2021
Every year, Pink Shirt Day brings us together to celebrate diversity, spread aroha and end bullying in Aotearoa.
Please wear pink and bring a gold coin donation to support anti-bullying on Friday 21st May.
Why is it important to celebrate Pink Shirt Day?
Bullying in our schools and kura is a real problem. In fact, New Zealand has the third-highest rate of school bullying out of 36 OECD countries. Rangatahi/young people from the rainbow community face even higher rates of bullying. Studies show rangatahi who get bullied are far more likely to experience mental health issues like depression, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts.
We need your help to turn this around. Our rangatahi deserve to learn in a place where they feel safe and valued, and where they're not afraid to be themselves. Together, we can create schools and communities that celebrate our differences and practise inclusion and acceptance every day.