Thousands of New Zealanders will wear pink shirts this Friday to stand up against bullying - and a familiar Kiwi face will be among them.

Pink Shirt Day is an anti-bullying initiative lead by the Mental Health Foundation, celebrated in New Zealand since 2009.

Well-known children's entertainer Suzy Cato is a passionate supporter of the campaign, and said New Zealand's bullying statistics are pretty bad.

"There's so much that we can do to make it that much better, and quite simply, it's to stand up together as a united front and put a stop to bullying."

She said bullying often starts young but is not limited to schools.

"But it doesn't matter what age you are, what size you are, nationality, what your interests are, how you look, you could be bullied. It doesn't matter what environment you're in."

Ms Cato said it's important to stamp it out young because bullying can even extend into the work place.

Pink Shirt Day started in Canada in 2007 when two students defended another who was being bullied for wearing a pink shirt and has been celebrated in New Zealand since 2009.

It's been celebrated in New Zealand since 2009, led by the Mental Health Foundation and supported by a variety of youth organisations.

New Zealand has one of the highest rates of bullying in the world.