The Mental Health Foundation is urging all New Zealanders to wear pink this Friday, to mark national anti-bullying initiative Pink Shirt Day. The Foundation is leading the annual day of action this year, and is working with groups such as Rainbow Youth to ensure the campaign ‘addresses the needs of all New Zealanders’. It says research has found that punishing perpetrators of bullying after the fact does not decrease the rate of bullying. What has been found to make a difference is making everyone feel socially included. The Foundation says it hopes that people across the country will take a simple action —wearing a pink shirt and telling people why — to make a statement about preventing bullying in New Zealand. "We want a New Zealand where everyone feels safe, respected and included," says Chief Executive Judi Clements. "We encourage everyone to wear a pink shirt this Friday as a celebration of our commitment to change. When we join together to wear our pink shirts, we will be making a statement about creating the foundations of a respectful and inclusive society.” GayNZ.com - 14th May 2012