Comedians head Young Farmers fundraising line-up

Bret McKenzie

Aussie comedic celebrities Hamish and Andy's whistle stop visit to New Zealand to attend Te Kawa West Young Farmers fundraising dance highlights the $1 million community contribution the organisation makes to rural communities every year.

The comedy duo will come to the dance on November 28, where they will sing a song alongside Flight of the Conchords star Bret McKenzie (the front man), and publicise the work NZ Young Farmers does around New Zealand in both education and supporting rural communities.

Te Kawa West club dance organiser Regan McCorquindale said the dance was being held as a fundraiser for the Pirongia Fire Brigade and they hoped to raise a sizeable amount of money now that Hamish and Andy were attending.

Aussie comedy icons Hamish Blake (standing) and Andy Lee are coming to the Te Kawa West Young Farmers fundraising dance later this month.

The radio and television personalities announced this year that they would be retiring from their hugely popular Australian daily radio show, and following a 'band' tour of Australia last year, they would up their game and come to New Zealand to play some gigs.

Te Kawa West's event fitted their schedule perfectly and the club and the Pirongia township is now abuzz with excitement.

The celebrities' pulling power mean the 300 tickets available sold out in under 50 minutes - a record - with many more wanting to come along.

"It's overwhelming to be honest."

NZ Young Farmers CEO Terry Copeland said it was fantastic to see one of the hundreds of fundraisers clubs do every year shine a spotlight on the massive community benefits the organisation continues to provide.

"We estimate from studies we've done that since NZ Young Farmers began in 1932, clubs have injected $86 million into their local communities. This is a vibrant, thriving and vital organisation that continues to support rural New Zealand.

It would be a night to remember, he said, not only because of the wonderful entertainment Hamish and Andy and Brett McKenzie would provide, but also because it would provide significant funds to the local Pirongia Fire Brigade.

"And that community involvement is still very much a pillar of our organisation."