Students around the Western Bay of Plenty will be wearing pink today as a stand against bullying.

Pink Shirt Day is a worldwide initiative aimed at raising awareness of bullying, celebrating people's differences and promoting positive relationships.

Azaria-Maria Cooney (printed shirt), Brieanna Marston (light pink shirt) and Hannah Blair wearing their anti-bullying pink shirts. Photo by: Bruce Barnard.

Otumoetai College students took an early stand on Wednesday, by asking students to wear pink t-shirts over their school uniforms.

Year 10 students Azaria-Maria Cooney, Brieanna Marston and Hannah Blair say the aim is to make people aware of bullying in schools.

'It originated in Canada, when a young boy wore a pink shirt to school and was bullied by his peers.

'Seniors saw this happening and in support of the boy, they all wore a pink shirt the following day.”

The trio say Pink Shirt Day highlights bullying as a continuous problem among youth.

'In fact, it is probably becoming worse because technology means bullying can take place 24/7.”

Karena and Kasey Bird will be at Te Puke High School today to make a stand against bullying.

MasterChef New Zealand winners, Maketu sisters Kasey and Karena Bird, are keeping with their pink theme by speaking up against bullying at Te Puke Intermediate School today.

Te Puke Primary School students are also getting in on the act with a pink themed mufti day. Events are organised by Family Works, who deliver family social services as part of Presbyterian Support Northern.

New Zealand suffers from high levels of bullying in schools, with 94 per cent affected by the problem, according to research.

Family Works has social workers in 18 primary and intermediate schools throughout the Bay of Plenty. They provide social work services to help children overcome the effects of bullying and abuse, and support teachers to make schools a safe place where children can learn and flourish.

Kiri Mohi, Family Works social worker at Te Puke Intermediate School, says Pink Shirt Day provides a great opportunity to talk about behaviour that respects and encourages others rather than bringing them down.

Tauranga Girl Guide District is also backing the campaign, hosting a workshop at Baden Powell Centre for girls aged from five.

Protect Self Defence teacher Christine Young will be leading a self-defence module at the workshop with children aged five-plus at 5.30pm, and nine-plus from 7pm. Entry is via gold coin donation, with proceeds to Pink Shirt Day Aotearoa.

Arataki Primary School is also jumping on board by inviting dance group ‘Revolution' to the school at 11.45am to express anti-bullying messages in a 'cool way”.