Music concerts in Queenstown in aid of earthquake and tsunami-battered Japan raised more than $4000 for New Zealand Red Cross and Salvation Army appeals.
"Ganbare Nippon: Hope for a Better Day" included Wakatipu entertainers Calico, the Mutz Nutz, Pearly McGrath, Sarah Foley and organisers Natsuko Okazaki and Jaime Relton, plus friends. It was held in a marquee on the village green on Friday afternoon.
Queenstown Lakes Mayor Vanessa van Uden said, at the start of the concert, the tragedies of the past eight months caused unbearable grief on the faces of strangers and countrymen.
"When our biggest city in the South Island collapsed in front of our very eyes, the Japanese USAR team emerged from their air transport in uniform with their equipment at the ready and started work straight away.
"It's equally easy to remember that the minute the news came in from their home country, they finished all their jobs before turning around to head for home." New Zealand benefited from the commitment of other nations' experts and assistants and reciprocated, as part of an international community.
"But as ordinary human beings, we can't just stand by and leave it to other people. Use the privilege of perspective to remember how lucky we are and do what you can, just like they did for us," she said.
Musicians gathered for a separately organised concert for donations in St Peter's Anglican Church, on Saturday. Concert organiser Kana Takahashi led about 100 people in a one-minute prayer for "peace and love" for Japan.
Miss Okazaki and Mr Relton, Margaret O'Hanlon and Mark Wilson returned to perform. Joining them were guitarists Andrew Sellens and Aki Shimizu, pianists Masa Nakazawa and Ms Takahashi, saxophonist Ryan McQuaig, all playing individual sets.
Pupils of the supplementary Japanese language school sang traditional songs about springtime and hope. Queenstown choristers also delighted the audience with their harmonies.
The amounts raised by both concerts will be available this week.
