New Zealand raise $30,000 for Tongan musicians

After a tragic accident new Gisborne that took the lives of two Tongan musicians, New Zealand has dug deep in support of Mailefihi Siu'ilikutapu College Brass Band.

The band were due to perform at a church service when the bus they were travelling on veered down a bank between Gisborne and Wairoa, tragically claiming the lives of Sione Taumalolo, 11, and Talita Moimoi Fifita, 33.

A givealittle page set up for the group shortly afterwards has this morning raised more than $31,300. The fundraising effort was started by local woman Kristina Williams, who was one of the first people at the crash.

She wrote that the funds would help the 46 people injured victims, "they only have the clothes they were wearing at the time of the accident. All their belongings are trapped and strewn down a steep bank".

The bodies of the two deceased will be returned to Tonga for a final service.

- NZ Herald