Benefit heralds disaster relief

A star-studded benefit concert has raised nearly $345,000 to help Samoa recover from the tsunami disaster.

More than 160 people died and thousands were left homeless in the tsunami that hit American Samoa, Samoa and Tonga on September 29.

I Love the Islands spokesman, Ole Maiava said some of New Zealand's top musicians had come together to tour the country – including Scribe and Savage, who lost family members and their family villages in the disaster.

Other musicians included Neil and Tim Finn, Dave Dobbyn, Bic Runga, Hollie Smith, Elemeno P, Nesian Mystik, PNC, Jordan Luck Band and Che Fu.

Some of the artists travelled to Samoa last month announcing $50,000 would to to Lalomanu village and $50,000 to Poutasi village, both of which sustained some of the heaviest damage from the September tsunami.

The remainder of the money would be paid to the Samoa Tsunami 2009 Appeal Charitable Trust once costs and tax had been finalised.

Maiava said he was "rapt" with the generosity of New Zealand businesses.

"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."

Chairman of the Samoa Tsunami Auckland Appeal Committee, Faolotoi Reupena Pogi, thanked everyone who participated and supported the concert.

- © Fairfax NZ News