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Anti-bullying is a message Masterchef winners Kasey and Karena Bird are all too happy to get behind having suffered from online abuse since the television series aired this year.

The Maketu sisters visited Fairhaven School and Te Puke Intermediate today as part of Pink Shirt Day – an international event aimed at reducing bullying.

Karena and Kasey Bird onstage at Fairhaven School today.

Kasey and Karena told SunLive they both fully understand the impact bullying can have, having experienced waves of online abuse since appearing in the national television cooking series.

'Yes I have definitely suffering from online bullying,” says 25-year-old Karena.

'Obviously when you're on television people think that they have a right to make comments about you, because you're in the public eye.

'But just because it happens, it doesn't make it right.”

The pair say the abuse wasn't surprising and they were prepared for what has come, but it still hit hard.

'With each other we can talk about it and get through it,” says 23-year-old Kasey.

'But if you didn't have anyone else it would be really difficult.”

Both say their best advice for dealing with bullying is to tell someone what's happening.

'Whatever you do, don't keep it to yourself,” says Karena.

'Whether I'm telling Kasey or my parents, or if you're young tell your teacher or your parents.

'If you're too scared tell your friend to tell them.”

She says the most concerning aspect of bullying is its growing online presence.

'I was watching the news last night and they were talking about this new website and how the bullying is ridiculous. People get really confident behind their keyboards.”

Their message to bullies in the community: 'I think just for anyone, just be a good person and be nice.”

Te Puke Primary School students are also marking Pink Shirt Day with a pink-themed mufti-day.