Hard News by Russell Brown

I really wish I could go to Paul's reading - because I am in love with Davey Darling. And to hear Paul reading it would be beyond awesome. So I would recommend that everyone go to the APL tomorrow at 1pm. Actually, I see it's happening at 6pm - maybe I'll go to that one!

It's great to feel the solidarity, and how people far from Christchurch get together to help. The only shameis that these events are not in Christchurch. However, The Wiggles are giving free tickets to their concert in April, so that's something...

Has anybody looked closely into what happens to the money that goes into the Government's Earthquake Appeal?

I share Matthew's feeling of envy of some great events that are not in Christchurch but I'm sure the time will come when artists are travelling to Christchurch to stage some great events for Cantabrians. May be in the depths of winter when we'll really need a boost?
Christchurch City Libraries blog has started an online initiative "Words for Christchurch" http://cclblog.wordpress.com/?s=words+for+christchurch

Tales for Canterbury is a new fiction anthology with all profits donated to the NZ Red Cross Earthquake appeal. It's available for pre-order now. There's a great mix of both local and international authors including Cat Connor, Neil Gaiman, Patty Jansen, Tim Jones, Ripley Patton and Jeff VanderMeer.

Tales For Canterbury

(I'll be reading my story from the Anthology at the Highland Park library tomorrow night)

It's also worth noting that Sharolyn Kimmorley - the accompanist for the Sydney Concert - is the Chorus Director for the Solid Energy Chorus of Southern Opera here in Christchurch (I'm SO's CE).

It's lovely to have her involved with a bunch of keen kiwis - far too many of whom I seem to know.

What's the status of Southern Opera post-quake, James? Were you affected?

And I must say ...

Solid Energy Chorus

Sounds like a very now indie band. I'd certainly download their MP3s from Hype Machine.

Solid Energy Chorus

the original steampunk crew

SO performers and the CSO players (I'm CE of them too) and my staff were all ok, although one of our singers lost her parents. We've been evicted like everyone else from the Arts Centre - although that came as no surprise as we've been unable to access anything in the office since the quake.

We're getting by, re-budgeting, talking a lot to CNZ, and trying to get a programme together based on new venues etc, starting in June.

Normal things take forever, but I'm optimistic about the future. Should be making more things public in the coming fortnight

I'm not surprised you commented on the naming rights sponsor - but they have been great to us since Feb 22.

I’m not surprised you commented on the naming rights sponsor – but they have been great to us since Feb 22.

Good on them.

Wow, count me in for 'Tales for Canterbury'...I'm a sucker for anything Gaiman.

Does anyone know if there is a website that lists the different Chch Quake charities?

I've been dabbling with a bit of an idea which could raise a very small amount of cash, but I want to direct it somewhere a bit more specific than the Red Cross. Not that I have anything against them at all! Red Cross/Solid Energy Chorus ghost wave bands 4 eva.

Apologies that this comment is not about arts and letters, but I'm interested in what happens to money donated and raised by talented people from Auckland to Sydney to London. Further to my comment yesterday, this is what you find at the Earthquake Appeal website:

On February 22 a 6.3 magnitude earthquake rocked Christchurch, causing widespread damage and tragic loss of life. Since then, many people have been involved in the effort to return the city to normal.

But what stands before us now is an enormous task. The hard work is really now just beginning, and we need your help more than ever.

The Christchurch Earthquake Appeal is our opportunity to come together to support those who need our help.

With your help we can look forward to a brighter future for Christchurch – one in which the community is stronger, and has faith in the compassion and support from friends in New Zealand and around the world.

It will take a great deal of time to rebuild Christchurch. If you would like to help, donate here, and show the people of Christchurch that Tomorrow Starts Here.

You can make an immediate donation to the Christchurch Earthquake Appeal from your credit card by providing your details, the amount you wish to donate, and clicking Donate Now.

Thank you
Prime Minister John Key

It's administered by the Department of Internal Affairs, but there isn't really much of clue as to what happens to donated money.

The Facebook page is no more informative. The Beehive press release has little more:

“Like all Cantabrians and fellow New Zealanders, I have been humbled by the offers of help and assistance pouring in from individuals, organisations and governments around the world. This new Appeal gives people another means of donating to the people of Christchurch and the recovery effort.

Mr Key said the Appeal was designed to complement those already established, such as the funds organised by the Red Cross and the Salvation Army.

“It’s my intention that the Government will work alongside these organisations to make sure the funds are used in the best possible way.

Mr Key said New Zealand government departments at home and around the world would be throwing their weight behind the Appeal.

So the government will work alongside NGOs to ensure donations are used in the best possible way. Does that mean the money will be used for wage support for employees of quake affected businesses, emergency grants for quake affected Canterbury residents or what? I think donors and folk singing to raise money will be thinking the resulting funds should be going more or less directly to struggling people. They might be less supportive if it is to be used by the government to pay for benefits normally covered by the MSD/WINZ, but I could be wrong. Or if donations are going into the general government coffers, in the same way as income tax/GST etc.

I can't find information about the amount of money donated, but the Red Cross has recieved over $40 million, so it may be substantial. What kind of governance is in place (if there needs to be more than that provided by officials in the DIA) to ensure the proper use of funds?

I think donors and folk singing to raise money will be thinking the resulting funds should be going more or less directly to struggling people. They might be less supportive if it is to be used by the government to pay for benefits normally covered by the MSD/WINZ, but I could be wrong.

Speaking exclusively for myself, the reason why the government appeal was preferred for the Rise Up event was because it made it clear that an expat effort was entirely legitimate.

This doesn't mean I don't share your concerns however. I've followed the discussions regarding the government's management of this crisis closely and share many of the concerns aired here.

London people who like helping and laughing at the same time should think very seriously about going to this event - there are some top people involved and I hear rumours of a surprise or two. And very splendid raffleage.