Benefit Concert Raises $344.00 for Tsunami Relief

With the help of some of New Zealand’s top musicians, the ‘I Love the Islands’ series of concerts has raised the phenomenal sum $344,180.00 for tsunami relief in Samoa. The historical tour featured concerts in Auckland, New Plymouth, Wellington, Christchurch, and Dunedin. A collective of the artists travelled to Samoa on October 31st to announce the allocation of funds raised. $50,000 has been allocated 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. I Love the Islands spokesperson, Ole Maiava said “It’s 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”. 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 and Irie, DJ Sirvere, Aaradhna, PNC, Devolo, Mareko, King Kapisi, Feelstyle, Adeaze, Cydel, Lapi Mariner, Ladi 6 and Parks, LA Mitchell, Mark Vanilau, Pacific Underground, Three Houses Down, Herbs, Iva Lamkum, Rosita Vai, Bella Kalolo, Ruia Aperahama, Te Oranga Tonu Tanga, Reitu Cassidy, Sarah Wallace, Maria Wilson, Dugald Mackay, Pesamino Tili, Foalima Lemalu, Soul Deep, Boogiemen, Entropy Trio, MC Beau and Max Dad E, Koile, Shayne Carter, Lapi Mariner, Alphrisk, and many more.