Fundraising concerts to aid Christchurch's Muslim community

The New Zealand music industry is uniting for concerts in Auckland and Christchurch to raise money for those affected by the Christchurch mosque attacks.

The first of the You Are Us/Aroha Nui concerts will be held at Mt Smart Stadium in Auckland on Saturday 13 April. The second concert will be held at Christchurch Stadium on Wednesday 17 April.

Concerts to raise funds for those affected by the 15 March terrorist attack in Christchurch have been announced.

All proceeds from ticket sales for both concerts will go the Our People, Our City fund set up by the Christchurch Foundation at Mayor Lianne Dalziel’s request.

The concerts will feature some of New Zealand’s biggest music acts as well as performers and speakers from a diverse range of cultures and backgrounds.

Artists who have already confirmed their appearances include Anika Moa, Bene, Bic Runga, Dave Dobbyn, Fat Freddy's Drop, Hollie Smith, Marlon Williams, Shapeshifter, Shihad, Six60, and Stan Walker.

More acts will be confirmed in the coming days. Both concert events will be hosted by Mike King.

“We just had to step up together and do something to help the devastated families but also to show that we are one country,’’ says event promoter Brent Eccles, who is helping organise the concerts.

“Music has the power to heal and bring us together in ways nothing else does,’’ adds Mark Kneebone, from Live Nation.

“It is a unifying force across cultures, languages and religions, and we will use music to honour the ones we have lost, their families and all affected by this tragedy.

Christchurch Mayor Lianne Dalziel is pleased the New Zealand music industry is getting behind the fundraising effort for those affected by these extremist attacks.

“The impact on our Muslim communities has been huge and they are going to need ongoing support for a very long time.

“The response of the music industry has been magnificent and we are all grateful for the significance of this contribution to the Muslim communities long term recovery,’’ the Mayor says.

Tickets for the Christchurch concert will go on sale at midday on Friday 29 March. Tickets will cost $79 for adults and $39 for children under 12.

Other cities around the world are planning similar concerts. Details of these events will be announced in the coming weeks.