The ‘I Love the Islands’ Benefit Concert NZ tour has raised $344,180.00* to aid Samoa after the recent Tsunami disaster.
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, 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 + Max Dad E , Koile, Shayne Carter , Lapi Mariner, Alphrisk, plus
many 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.
Soifua,
Faolotoi Reupena Pogi
CONSUL GENERAL & Chairman of Samoa Tsunami Auckland 2009 Appeal Committee
*a financial report from Entertainment Accounting Ltd is available with a detailed breakdown of money raised from each
concert
ENDS