Stop the Hate: It's time to say enough

Today, The Daily Post takes a stand against bullying. We launch an anti-bullying campaign called Stop The Hate and over the next few weeks, will look into bullying, bullies and their victims. Reporter Kristin Macfarlane looks at some of Rotorua's most high profile bullying cases.

A definition for bullying is to use superior strength or influence to intimidate someone, typically to force him or her to do what one wants.

Today, The Daily Post is taking a stand against bullying. We don't want it happening in our city.

Rotorua has seen many cases of bullying in the past, including the cases of Gavin Hayes, Nia Glassie, Hayley-Ann Fenton and more.

Over the next three weeks we will look at bullying and how it can impact lives. We will always look at ways to stop bullying and share stories about bullying.

We have the support of high profile Kiwis including Titanium band members Jordi Webber and Andrew Papas, singing sensation Elizabeth Marvelly, Shortland Street star Pua Magasiva, Rio Panapa from Sons of Zion, Olympian Sarah Walker and more.

We also have the support of Rotorua's Lesley Fenton, whose 15-year-old daughter Hayley-Ann Fenton took her own life as the result of receiving vicious texts from Elina Tiumalu, the wife of Pelesas Tiumalu who had an inappropriate relationship with the teenager.

Mrs Fenton said there was too much bullying in Rotorua and supported any move to combat it and raise awareness.

"I'm all for it if it's going to help all those ones. Maybe [bullies] need a reality check with what's happening," Mrs Fenton said.

She said bullies didn't know how far they could push their victims and wanted them to ask themselves "who's the next victim".

"I just despise bullying, I just don't like any of it."

The Daily Post will share more of Mrs Fenton's story over the next couple of weeks.

If you would like to share a story about bullying, please upload it (above right), email kristin.macfarlane@dailypost.co.nz or contact her on (07) 348 6199 ext: 57072. Click here for more on bullying, including a resource list of where to go for help.