Benefit concert raises funds for tsunami victims   30 Nov 2009

Some of New Zealand’s top musicians rallied together to create a historical tour with concerts in Auckland, New Plymouth, Wellington, Christchurch, Dunedin. Artists who kindly donated their performances to the various gigs included:

Scribe, Savage, Tim and Neil Finn, Oscar Kightley, Dave Dobbyn, Bic Runga, Anika Moa, Yandall Sisters, Hollie Smith, Elemeno P, Nesian Mystik, Jordan Luck Band, J.Williams, Che-Fu & Kratez, Open Souls, Kirsten Morrell, Sweet & Irie, DJ Sirvere, Aaradhna and more.

A collective of the artists who performed at the I Love the Islands concerts travelled to Samoa on October 31st to announce the allocation of funds raised (thanks to Pacific Blue). $50,000 will be awarded to Lalomanu village and $50,000 to Poutasi village, both of which sustained some of the heaviest damage from the tsunami. The remainder of the money will be paid to the Samoa Tsunami 2009 Appeal Charitable Trust once hard costs and tax have been finalised.

The villages and the trust will be required to provide a report in 2010 to confirm how the fundraising money from I Love the Island was applied.

I Love the Islands spokesperson, Ole Maiava is rapt with the generosity of New Zealand businesses. “Its thanks to all those talented people from the music, production and entertainment industry that gave us their valuable time free of charge that we are able to produce such an amazing result for the people of Samoa” Mr Maiava says.

The Chairman of the Samoa Tsunami Auckland Appeal Committee expressed his gratitude for the funds raised from the I Love the Islands concerts: "On behalf of the Government and people of Samoa I wish to thank all those involved in organising these concerts, the musicians and artists who have voluntarily contributed their time and services to raise funds for our country and people worst affected by the Tsunami.

I also wish to thank the support from the New Zealand public. Faafetai, Faafetai Tele Lava. God Bless you all.

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