Committed to Safe and Welcoming Spaces
At Manawatū District Council, we are committed to fostering a positive, inclusive, and diverse workplace that is free from all forms of bullying, harassment, and discrimination. This commitment extends not only to our staff, but also to the members of the public who use and interact with our facilities and services every day.
Pink Shirt Day serves as an important public reminder of encouraging kindness, respect, and inclusion, while reinforcing our shared responsibility to create safe environments where everyone feels valued and supported.
From Council offices to the Makino Aquatic Centre (MAC), Manawatū Community Hub Libraries (MCHL), and teams working across the district, staff proudly wore pink on Friday 15 May in support of Pink Shirt Day to help promote safe, welcoming spaces for everyone in our community.
This year’s Pink Shirt Day theme, Kōrero Mai, Kōrero Atu, Mauri Tū, Mauri Ora — Speak Up, Stand Together, Stop Bullying! encourages all of us to speak up against harmful behaviour and support one another to build stronger, healthier communities. If you experience or witness bullying or harassment within any MDC facility, we encourage you to speak with a staff member to help ensure our spaces remain safe and welcoming for everyone.
Originally starting in Canada in 2007, Pink Shirt Day has grown into a global movement, led in Aotearoa New Zealand by the Mental Health Foundation since 2012.
While Pink Shirt Day provides an opportunity to publicly recognise and promote these values, Council's commitment to a safe, respectful, and inclusive environment extends far beyond a single day for staff and members of our community alike.
For more information on Pink Shirt Day
Members of the MCHL team dressed in pink to celebrate Pink Shirt Day.