Schools across Mid North join 10-year-old's Christchurch fundraiser

Kaia Derbyshire (centre) organised a mufti-day fundraiser for the Christchurch attack victims which has been spread to more than dozen primary schools around the Mid North. Lending their support are Bay of Islands International Academy students (from left) Aimee Croucher, 9, Hannah-May Croucher, 10, Eva Whyman, 10, Keira Featherstone, 10, and Nate Brewer, 10. Photo / Peter de Graaf

A 10-year-old schoolgirl's plan to raise money and show support for the victims of the Christchurch shootings has spread to at least a dozen primary schools around the Bay of Islands.

After Friday's terror attack, which left 50 people dead at two Christchurch mosques, Kaia Derbyshire wanted to do something to show solidarity and help the victims financially.

She organised a mufti day yesterday at Bay of Islands International Academy at Te Tii, near Kerikeri, and urged her schoolmates to wear white as a symbol of peace. She also invited them to give gold coin donations and make cards with messages of support.

Kaia then enlisted the help of her principal, Chris Bell, to contact other primary schools around the Bay of Islands and invite them to join in.

The idea is that each school will take a photo of its students dressed in white, with all the donations, photos and messages delivered to Christchurch's Muslim community.

Kaia said she felt personally affected because both her parents were police officers, so if an attack happened in Northland they would be among the first responders.

She also felt affected because she and her dad were Fijian, like some of the victims of the attack.

''I wanted to help the people in Christchurch and raise money for them, to help them pay their bills. If it happened here my mum and dad would have to help.''

Schoolmate Aimee Croucher, 9, said helping was a good thing to do.

''This will let them know people care about them.''

Bell said he was impressed with Kaia's initiative.

''She's really inspired us. A big part of out International Baccalaureate curriculum is action, and she's shown herself to be an action taker.''

At least a dozen Bay of Islands primary schools had joined in, mostly kura kaupapa Māori and small rural schools.