Tauranga's 12th Pink Walk underway

HOT Pink Walk at The Strand Tauranga. Photo/Andrew Warner

Thousands of people covered from head to toe in pink have filled Tauranga streets tonight for the 12th annual Pink Walk.

The annual walk raises money and awareness of breast cancer and brings together breast cancer survivors and those left behind from loved ones not so lucky.

A reporter at the walk said thousands of people were getting into the loud zumba warm up.

Birds were released in a moment of reflection held in memory of the people who have not survived breast cancer.

5.30pm: Zumba warm-up
5.50pm: Bird release in memory of those lost to breast cancer
6pm: Walk begins from The Strand

The HOT (House of Travel) Pink Walk is the flagship fundraiser for Breast Cancer Support Service Tauranga Trust and traditionally begins on The Strand, leading thousands through city streets.

Walkers have arrived big and small, on two legs and four, all dressed in pink.

A moment of reflection is traditionally held in memory of the people who have not survived breast cancer.

Last year, pigeons were released to honour of one of those woman.

Just metres away stood a man wearing shades, bandanna, visible tatts, and pink poi earrings.
Mikee Te Ra wife died of breast cancer.

Mr Te Ra wore pink paint on his cheek and said the walk had significant meaning for his family and himself.

"I really appreciate it."