Rotorua women want acceptance

Four Rotorua women who are paving successful careers have started a social media trend to encourage people to support and celebrate each other's differences and achievements.

Fashion designer Adrienne Whitewood, Rotorua Lakes councillor Tania Tapsell, business owner Amanda Ashton and television presenter Kiri Danielle decided to launch the #AcceptMe campaign after realising they had all personally experienced bullying and criticism for trying to fulfil their ambitions.

It has already been widely shared on Facebook with others posting photos of themselves using the hashtag.

"We are so passionate about this, we just clicked, I think for me it's something I've been yearning for, people in my life like this. When we do get together we can lift each other up," make-up artist Miss Ashton said.

"You don't have to agree with them but you can accept them. This is what I love about this kaupapa (purpose) the most.

"What sets us apart is that we're not just talking about tall poppy syndrome, we're not putting the focus on bullying, we're trying to lift up a positive thing."

Miss Whitewood said they were wanting to spread their message to a younger generation.
"One thing that we're really concerned about and a project we'd love to get into is going around to all the schools.

"One thing I'm concerned about are shows like Gossip Girl, Dirty Little Liars and Revenge," Miss Whitewood said.

"[In these shows] when you have a problem with a friend you get behind their back and plot something instead of defusing the problem and coming to them with love and saying, 'Hey, this is what happened, can we talk about this?'"

There's also a culture of judgement, Miss Danielle said.

"It's not about tearing people down, it should be about building people up.

"Ninety-nine per cent of the feedback we've had has been good but there's still others out there that are saying what do you need encouragement for? Stop being insecure."

Miss Tapsell said they've bonded through a shared experience of dealing with negative people.

"We're all very successful in our own careers and from the criticism and the hate we've come together to support one another and encourage others to do the same.

"One of the key messages of it is, can we not tear each other down? Can we just lift each other up, and so we're trying to promote that positive message a