Pupils from Tauranga Intermediate and primary schools from around the city have united today to break the world record for Chinese Whispers.

A total of 1763 pupils from the intermediate and six primary schools – Maungatapu, Tauranga Primary, Welcome Bay, Greerton Village, Merivale, and Greenpark – were involved in the world record attempt which took about two hours to complete.

There was much excitement and fanfare, with players from the Bay of Plenty Steamers present to take part and give out spot prizes. MORE FM provided the event's MC, and the dapper Tim Wilson was there reporting for TVNZ's Seven Sharp.

The pupils were divided into classes, with each class departing once they passed the whisper through their ranks and onto the next class.

The proceedings were carefully monitored by the scrutineers from Holland Beckett, who also provided an ice-block and drink for each pupil who took part, while local business Vertical Horizonz provided certificates of recognition for the kids.

Kicking off the mass Chinese Whispers was Tauranga Mayor Greg Brownless, who had the honour of whispering the three-word phrase – 'Turn it down” – to local MP Simon Bridges, who then passed it on to the first child.

Some of the pupils involved in today's record attempt.

Speaking to SunLive afterwards, Simon appeared sceptical as to whether the phrase he heard from Greg would make it intact to the end.

'There might be a few cheeky young ones who have their own ‘interpretation' of it.”

Fortunately, accuracy of the message is not necessary to break the record – which, considering how hard the game can be with a class of 30, is something of a blessing.

All the video and documentation pertaining to the record attempt will now be sent off for approval from the Guinness World Records officials.

The world record attempt is part of Hearing Week 2017, an initiative by the National Foundation for the Deaf which aims to raise awareness of hearing-impaired people and the impacts of hearing loss.