Notable institutions within the Bay of Plenty are getting involved in Pink Shirt Day on Friday, May 17.

Pink Shirt Day encourages New Zealanders to wear a pink shirt or to purchase an official pink t-shirt from Cotton On to raise awareness around bullying and to encourage spreading aroha and kindness.

For Pink Shirt Day, Toi Ohomai Institute of Technology students are all wearing their favourite pink t-shirts to join the movement to stop bullying and spread kindness among all staff, students and the community.

All Toi Ohomai campuses are taking part, which are based in Rotorua, Taupo, Tokoroa, Whakatane and Tauranga.

The Bay of Plenty Rugby Union is also getting involved in Pink Shirt Day.

BOP Rugby marketing manager Shannon Gray says tenants in the University of Waikato Centre for High Performance building are coming together for a morning tea.

'We are all going to be sporting our pink shirts.

'The Bay of Plenty Rugby Union have partnered with our major partners Good Buzz Kombucha who will be present on the day as well.

'We are hoping to have some players around for the morning tea.”

For more information on Pink Shirt Day, click here to visit the website.