Editorial: Group's helping hands

Kanea Hicks is recovering from a serious assault in Auckland in July.

Award-winning kapa haka group Te Matarae I Orehu have proven time again they are leaders on the stage. Now are showing they are community leaders as well.

The group are putting together a fundraising concert for two families, who are no doubt going through hell as they battle with the recoveries of two young people who were victims of life-threatening tragedies.

The Koiora Music Fundraiser will be held on October 11 to raise money for the families of Kanea Hicks and Kaine Lewis.

Miss Hicks is a member of Te Matarae i Orehu and is recovering from a serious assault in Auckland in July. The 27-year-old is now based at the ABI Rehabilitation facility in West Auckland.

Kaine, 16, suffered serious injuries in a car crash on Te Ngae Rd last month. The Rotorua Boys' High School student and up-and-coming rugby star has since moved from the high dependency unit into the general ward of Waikato Hospital.

Concert organiser and member of Te Matarae i Orehu Hinerongonui Kingi said the event was originally planned for Miss Hicks and her family but, when they heard about Kaine, they wanted to help his whanau too.

That is pretty remarkable considering they hadn't even meet Kaine.

These two local families are going through every whanau's worst nightmares and can do with all the support they can get. We urge you to support this worthy cause, while at the same time we commend Miss Kingi and her group for opening their hearts.

Koiora Music Fundraiser will be held on October 11 from 2-11pm at Rotorua Girls' High School. Tickets are $25 for an adult and $20 students and can be purchased online from Maorinet.co.nz or at RK Nutrition on Eruera St. All funds raised will be equally split between the two families.