Mt Smart tsunami relief match raises over $31,000

A minute's silence for Samoa tsunami victims before the league benefit match at Mt Smart.

People dug deep into their pockets to contribute more than $31,000 to Samoa tsunami relief efforts at a rugby league benefit match at Mt Smart Stadium.

The game on 10 October between Toa Samoa Domestic, featuring league legend Ruben Wiki, and a Bartercard Premiership selection attracted a crowd of 2000. It was organised by New Zealand Rugby League and supported by the Auckland Regional Council (ARC).

The ARC waived all stadium hire costs. Chairman Mike Lee says the Council was looking at ways to assist following the 29 September tsunami and had "no hesitation about throwing our weight behind this exciting event".

Many other event partners followed suit:

• Mad Butcher Peter Leitch topped up proceeds from his sausage sizzle to $10,000.
• Manukau Institute of Technology volunteers collected $10,000 in buckets.
• St John Ambulance provided services free of charge.
• New Zealand Police provided sound and staging for the entertainment.

Along with the supportive spectators, entertainers Dei Hamo, Lapi Mariner, the Yandall Sisters, Cydel, Anonymouz, For da Grind, Luminous and Natasha Urale created a great atmosphere at the stadium.

The day was about so much more than a league game, but, for the record, Toa Samoa were the winners by 52-14.