r/Christchurch_NZ

We in NZ are all paying more for gas but what is behind this crazy ongoing war in the middle east?

https://www.aljazeera.com/opinions/2026/4/14/iran-remains-an-obstacle-to-the-greater-israel-project

It seems Israel is wanting to expand its territory on a massive scale and some Israelis believe this expansion is justified by biblical text which claims that God granted Jews all the land between the Nile and the Euphrates rivers.

https://preview.redd.it/khux2l1c6syg1.jpg?width=474&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=7170a6ac2ca0349a86a4fa7fb41a98f1bcf34247

My wife is all set to go out and buy pink shirts for our kids - none of them wear pink and last year's stuff no longer fits. Affordability isn't an issue for us, so apparently we're all set to go spend $10 each on a one-time use shirt, for the pleasure of donating $2. I'd much prefer to give the whole amount to the cause, but then the kids are terrified to be singled out at school - by students or teachers. These fears are not unfounded either because of kids previous experience, or even the inadvisable choice of words used by teachers/newsletters.

Kids can be little pricks at the best of times, and we all know bullying is an issue at NZ schools. Is this really the best idea they can come up with? Let's have a day that raises awareness for bullying by creating an environment where you are in danger of being singled out if you don't conform. And for over 50% of the population it may require costs many times more than the requested donation. We know a kid's economic condition can be one reason why they're bullied. So they're now at risk of being bullied because they can't afford to partake in the anti-bullying campaign.

This has got to be the most tone-deaf, ineffective campaign I have ever seen. It shows a complete lack of understanding of some of the context of bullying, and is economically nonsensical.

Our household is boycotting Pink Shirt Day. We've told our kids they're not obliged to expose themselves to something so arbitrary and nonsensical, and that they can stay home if they wish.

Edit: Before you jumping claiming it's fine at your work place or school, consider the 'awareness' this day is supposed to be about. This post has quite a few stories of people who have been singled out or bullied for not dressing acceptably. And the response - quite common in this post I might add - is to disagree/dismiss them because it wasn't a problem for them personally.

I can't think of a better way to demonstrate how ineffective "raising awareness" is when, given actual testimonials, the response is "I don't agree there's a problem, because I haven't seen it." There is no response more anathema to a day claiming to be about the 'awareness' of bullying.

One of my cousins lives in this city,

I have very limited knowledge about Nz.

Their birthday is tomorrow.

Please suggest what could I gift them or make them participate in something

Budget is limited

So something which involvs low money, or some suprise

What could I do

Even a smallest gesture from my side could mean a lot

A call is fine but that human is like a parent to me