Together we can prevent bullying in Aotearoa

**SAVE THE DATE: Bullying-Free NZ Week 2019**

This year’s Bullying-Free NZ Week starts on 13 May, ending on 17 May – the Mental Health Foundation’s Pink Shirt Day(external link).

Our theme this year is ‘Whakanuia Tōu Āhua Ake! Celebrating Being Us!’ The week provides a great opportunity for students to celebrate what makes them unique – such as talents, interests, appearance, disability, culture, race, gender or sexuality – and encourage schools to build environments where everyone is welcome, safe and free from bullying.

Find out more and download resources including our activity pack, competition details and DIY poster.

Letz Lead!

A group of young men in the youth unit at Hawkes Bay Regional Prison have developed an anti-bullying book and CD as part of their Young Enterprise Scheme (YES) entry. Their youth-led resource “Can You Relate?”, is more than a book with raps. It tells the story from the point of view of a bully and the person being bullied, and uses kaupapa values and whakatauki to start conversations around feelings and emotions.

Some of the group have experience of both being bullied and being the bully. They want to reach out to other youth and schools so they can tell them they’re not alone.

Find out more about Letz Lead.

In the news...

• Young prison team leads anti-bullying campaign(external link)
• Instagram and Netsafe release guide for NZ parents(external link)
• Too much pressure on young people to be happy(external link)
• Student-led approach to bullying prevention getting results internationally(external link)
• Creating safer online environments(external link)
• Embracing differences key to anti-bullying campaign(external link)
• Five ways to improve student wellbeing(external link)
• Students link emotional wellbeing to learning(external link)

Read more news stories

If you have a media enquiry, please email media@education.govt.nz

Join Oat the Goat on his epic journey

Check out Oat the Goat a FREE, interactive, online story book, designed to help 4-7 year olds learn about the power of kindness and make the right decision through a positive interactive experience with their parents, whānau, family, teacher or peers. This exciting story follows Oat the Goat as he embarks upon the adventure of his life through native, animated New Zealand landscapes.

Experience the book in te reo Māori www.otitenanekoti.co.nz(external link)

Experience the book in English www.oatthegoat.co.nz(external link)

Discover Oat the Goat resources and activities to use at home or in the classroom.

Tackling Bullying head on: Bayleys Crusaders get behind Bullying-Free NZ

Showing how the whole community can get involved to help combat bullying

The BNZ Crusaders captain Sam Whitelock and sponsors Bayleys Canterbury have teamed up on a series of videos to get kids talking about bullying and what they can do about it.

And take a look at a children's story book from the Crusaders Bayleys Horses, Ace: A Horsey Tail of Courage.(external link)