Two young Pacific Islander high school students in New Zealand have received hugs of comfort after holding signs in public stating “I am a Pacific Islander – People say I will grow up to be nothing – Hug me if you disagree” and "I go to Manurewa High School. Media says I am a violent thug. Hug me if you disagree". 

The stunt was organised by a group of Pacific Islander students attending Manurewa High in Auckland. A video of the free hugs has since gone viral on the internet. The video was produced by University student Anastasia Matavao.

The students Kelemete Maile, Tyrone Siua, Paea Tava and Inoke Payne said that they wanted to express themselves and that the project was a reaction against the negative stereotypes of Manurewa, a predominately Pacific Islander neighbourhood of South Auckland.

The group told the Manukau Courier, “All people talk about is the fighting." 

Anastasia Matavao told Auckland Now that there was a lot of negative coverage about the South Auckland/Pacific Islander community.

"There's not much highlighted that's positive, we wanted to show we are all supporting each other regardless of what is happening" Matavao said.

"We all need to support each other, start showing the positives in our community."