Bay residents can be part of a free worldwide event this Sunday at Mount Drury and show kindness is the common thread that unites us all – regardless of the differences in race, religion, ethnicity, culture or background.

Tauranga is the only New Zealand location taking part in Dance for Kindness 2016 – which sees a combination freeze/flash mob take place on the same day to the same song and dance around the world.

Donna Cain, who is group leader for the NZ event and owner of Mount Dance Co, says this is the fifth year Dance for Kindness has run but only the second time here in God's Own.

'Teaarani Dyer, who lives in Tauranga, started it last year here in NZ and just loved it.

'It's something close to my heart, which is why I have stepped up as the leader of the event this time,” says Donna.

'For me, it's quite a personal thing. Dance has helped me through some of my toughest moments in life. I love sharing the enjoyment of movement and helping people gain confidence in themselves.

'So for me it's about getting people moving and understanding that even though you might not be good at it, it still helps you release those feel-good endorphins. I have always played a part in working within the disability sector but this year I'm so happy to be able to invite StarJam along to take part too.

'And by doing something that shows a bit of kindness goes a long way.”

Donna, who is an ambassador with Life Vest Inside, the non-profit organisation Dance for Kindness works under, says the event starts off with a three-minute freeze mob at 2pm, where people will freeze in a kindness pose.

'It might be helping someone up, a pat on the back, a hug – or you might choose to start connected in a group.”

'After that the ‘Dance of Kindness' song kicks in –‘Keys to the World'. So when people register online they send you an email with all the information of the event you signed up for and also the choreography for the song.

'So every participant around the world will be doing the same dance, which is pretty phenomenal.

'Just to get people around the world to do a dance on the same day is pretty phenomenal – but getting them to do the same dance is another level up.”

Donna's been holding free rehearsals for local participants at her studio and so far has 76 people have registered for the event – up on 25 last year.

'To take part it doesn't matter your race, upbringing, how old you are, what physical abilities you have – it's about sharing a little bit of kindness that day and showing how far kindness can go.

'We have two-year-olds through to those 70-plus registered for Sunday.”

Donna says some local sponsors and volunteers have stepped up and helped with behind the scenes, sound system and videography.

'The day of the event there will be a livestream on the Dance for Kindness official Facebook page.

'As group leaders we're also required to take as many photos and videos as possible – this gets sent to the United States to be put together for the 2016 worldwide montage to be realised later on.”

'And on Sunday the live broadcast – everyone gets it around the world – will show some of what we send through when it's played in New York Time Square live.”

Donna opted to make the event free this year, but people can donate funds to Life Vest Inside – a non-profit group dedicated to empowering the masses to engage in acts of love and kindness.

'But it's not about the money – it's about people around the globe standing up on Sunday and saying I care and I'm going to be kind and pass it on. The domino effect. Make someone feel good by being nice.”

And if you can't register – don't worry, you can still participate. 'We'll have a lot of people just turn up on the day that haven't registered.”

Dance for Kindness 2016 is this Sunday, November 13, from 2pm at Mount Drury Reserve, Mount Maunganui. To register and receive event details and the song choreography, visit: www.lifevestinside.com