By Ally Mullord
The Edge's annual 'Heart A Ginga' day is today and with mixed reactions from redheads, the best way to show your affection might be 'gingerly'.
The redhead appreciation day has been called ‘Hug A Ginga Day’ for the last four years, but the Edge has renamed it, “to demonstrate 100 percent support and love for redheaded people all over New Zealand”.
Reactions have been mixed, with some redheads feeling the day is unnecessary.
“I'm ginger and find the whole thing vaguely patronising and offensive,” said one online commenter, adding that the event may as well be called “Bully a Ginger at School Day”.
Another said she felt the event portrayed being a redhead as a disability.
However, some redheads are pleased to have a day devoted to them.
Southland Girls High School student Annabelle Murray wrote a speech about Heart a Ginga day as part of an assessment.
She says being called ‘ginga’ is “the ultimate compliment for a redhead,” and thinks today is an opportunity for proud redheads to show off their locks.
“This is the day that sorts out the proud gingas like me, to the not so proud gingas,” she says.
“This day is one of my favourites as I get gifts like Fanta, redbull, and gingernuts and receive the coolest compliments… this is one of the things that makes it great to be a ginge in NZ.”
“Don't be stingy, hug a gingey and keep the nicknames coming!”
The Edge offered suggestions of how Kiwis could show their appreciation for redhead friends, including giving a card, baking a cake, or buying them a drink at the pub.
Stations where redheads can go and “receive some Ginga love” will be set up in 17 locations across the country.
If people still wish to hug a Ginga, Dom Harvey from The Edge asks that they “please hug responsibly”. A video on the etiquette of redhead hugging is available on the website.
3 News