Kōrero mai, kōrero atu, mauri tū, mauri ora – speak up, stand together, stop bullying – that's the message being supported by Auckland Council this Pink Shirt Day.
Taking place on Friday 17 May, and led by the Mental Health Foundation, Pink Shirt Day is about people working together to stop bullying by celebrating diversity and standing together against bullying both in and outside of the workplace.
The day's aim to create a community where all people feel safe, valued and respected regardless of age, gender identity, sexual orientation or cultural background is reflected in the council's values.
Auckland Council Chief Executive Stephen Town says, "Everyone has the right to come to work and feel safe and included. No one should be made to feel inferior or judged based on their personal circumstances.
"Respect at work means our workplaces are free from bias, discrimination, bullying and harassment. Everyone treats each other with courtesy, respect and dignity, and we feel free to be ourselves. That's our bottom line.
"Pink Shirt Day reflects these values and that is why we're proud to get behind it and what it stands for."
What are bullying and harassment?
Bullying
Bullying is repeated and unreasonable behaviour directed towards a person, or a group of people, that poses a risk to their wellbeing.
Harassment
Harassment is any unreasonable, unwelcome or unsolicited comments, conduct, gesture or behaviour that can be characterised as insulting, intimidating, malicious, degrading and/or offensive.
How can you get involved in Pink Shirt Day?
Aucklanders are being encouraged to get involved with Pink Shirt Day by wearing their favourite pink clothes or by picking up one of this year's official t-shirts.
Council staff will be getting involved too, turning offices across the region into a sea of pink to speak up, stand together and stop bullying.
The Mental Health Foundation has been working with schools this year on initiatives to empower children and help them empower others, and has produced resources to help stamp out workplace bullying too.
For more information, visit the Pink Shirt Day website.
