Wellington Band Joins Peers to Fight Homelessness

JUNE 21, 2016

Wellington Band Joins Peers to Fight Homelessness

HAVING a home to live in and food to eat is something people may take for granted – but for too many New Zealanders it’s a luxury that seems so far out of reach.

Wellington band Tomorrow People have joined forces with their musician friends and music industry partners to raise money for Kiwi families suffering serious hardship.

After learning of the desperate need for support for homeless families around New Zealand, well-known Kiwi musicians wanted to utilise their public profiles to help ease the problem.

Tomorrow People, Sons of Zion, Three Houses Down, Che Fu, Pieter T and Swiss have come up with a way to help support their country’s homeless by holding a fundraiser concert next month.

The concert, called Music is Love, will raise much-needed funds for Te Puea Marae, which is the South Auckland marae that opened its doors to feed and house families living in their cars and makeshift housing.

This group of passionate musicians and music industry leaders were so inspired and humbled by the efforts of those representing Te Puea Marae, they wanted to do their part. Ultimately, they want to raise at least $100,000 for the cause.

Tomorrow People's Avina Kelekolio said the Wellington band were moved by the stories shared recently of desperate families without a home or food to eat.

"I've always felt that if you were in a position to help others, then you should help others," Kelekolio said.

"The homelessness problem is getting out of hand and we can't just sit back and do nothing," he said.

The band whose members grew up in area's across Wellington from Porirua to Hutt Valley were motivated to use their talents in a meaningful way and being a part of this concert fundraiser is something they are all looking forward to.

Three Houses Down lead singer Charlie Pomee said it was saddening to know every day families could find themselves in a situation where they were no longer able to support each other. The fact that children were among the homeless was even more heartbreaking for everyone involved with Music is Love.

“My kids are why I wanted to put this show together,” Pomee said.

“I guess as a parent we want the best for our kids and sleeping in a car, we all know is unfair for any child.”

Music is Love will be held on Thursday, July 14 at The Studio on Karangahape Road, one of Auckland’s most popular live entertainment venues.

The bands and artists will visit Te Puea Marae the day after the concert to deliver the funds raised from ticket sales.

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