PĀNUI
NEWS
PINK SHIRT DAY: 2026
15 / 05 / 2026
We're proud to announce that our team will be participating in Pink Shirt Day this year, joining thousands of New Zealanders in taking a stand against bullying and celebrating the importance of kindness, inclusion, and belonging.
What Is Pink Shirt Day?
Pink Shirt Day began in Canada in 2007, when two students organised a show of solidarity after a classmate was bullied for wearing a pink shirt to school. The movement quickly spread around the world, and New Zealand has embraced it wholeheartedly. Held annually in May, Pink Shirt Day is now one of Aotearoa's most recognised anti-bullying campaigns, led by the Mental Health Foundation of New Zealand.
Each year, the campaign rallies around a theme that speaks to the heart of what it means to create safe, supportive communities, whether at school, in the workplace, or online.
The Kaupapa of Pink Shirt Day
The kaupapa (the purpose and guiding principle) of Pink Shirt Day is simple but powerful: Bullying of any kind is not okay, and we all have a role to play in stopping it.
Pink Shirt Day asks us to reflect on how bullying affects people's mental health and wellbeing, and to take active steps to build environments where everyone feels valued and respected. It's a call to move beyond passive bystanders and become genuine upstanders: people who speak up, reach out, and make others feel seen.
In Aotearoa, this kaupapa is deeply aligned with values of manaakitanga (care and respect for others) and whanaungatanga (connection and belonging). Bullying diminishes mana; Pink Shirt Day works to restore and protect it.
How We're Getting Involved:
On Pink Shirt Day, our team will be wearing pink to show our solidarity and support. We encourage everyone to take a moment to reflect on how we can each contribute to a kinder, more inclusive environment, not just on the day itself, but every day.
If you'd like to learn more or find out how you can get involved, visit the Mental Health Foundation's Pink Shirt Day below:
