From NYC to Christchurch: Kia Kaha!

On Saturday February 26th a team of Kiwi and U.S filmmakers came together in New York City to film a message of strength to send to Christchurch, New Zealand. The plan was simple: do whatever it takes to raise awareness in NYC, raise funds to rebuild Christchurch and deliver a message of strength to survivors of the February 22nd earthquake.

With the support of the Kea North America, Goldcrest Post New York, Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism and with the help of individuals across Manhattan this project was conceived in two days and filmed and edited in one day in order to broadcast the message at a time when the people of Christchurch may need to hear it the most.

The creative team hope that the concept spreads worldwide and inspires Kiwis living abroad to generate their own message of hope and strength to deliver to Christchurch. They hope the next team does it bigger and better and raises the stakes in terms of stirring up donations to help Christchurch rebuild.

So far this movement has garnered at least USD$10,000 pledged to ANZA (American New Zealand Association) with promise of more to follow. The team noted the difficulty in raising funds in an international environment and supplied links at the end of their film project to non-profit organizations that make it easy to donate towards rebuilding Christchurch.

The team were inspired by this account written the day after the quake: http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/christchurch-earthquake/4693057/The-day-...