A group of New Zealanders based in Tokyo are organising a charity event in Tokyo to raise funds for Cyclone Gabrielle relief in badly affected Gisborne.
The group is led by Jacky Scanlan-Dyas, a Partner in Hogan Lovells, Japan. Jacky hails from Gisborne and is working with the Tairawhiti (Gisborne) branch of SuperGrans, a nationwide volunteer organisation that is actively supporting the local community at this most difficult time.
Others involved in organising the event include Ryo Hayakawa, Catherine O’Connell, and Deborah Hayden who will be well known to many JNZBC members as long-standing Kiwis based in Japan.
The organisers are looking to raise funds to be directed through SuperGrans to those in need and would welcome all offers of assistance, including financial donations, items for auction on the night, and expressions of interest in booking a table.
The event is scheduled for 27 April at the American Club in Tokyo. Please see below more detailed information from the organisers.
From Japan we watched with gut-wrenching heartbreak as devastation unfolded across New Zealand from tropical cyclone Gabrielle and multiple floods. To date 11 people lost their lives, approximately 1,500 homes have suffered damage, and several thousand New Zealanders have been displaced along the east coast of the North Island. On top of the deaths and casualties, the local economy has been directly impacted. Local businesses, farms, factories, and vineyards—including those with trading relationships with Japan—have been destroyed, which will impact communities for years to come.
We want the people of Gisborne and the surrounding areas to know that they are not forgotten and we are with them. To help in our own way, a committee of motivated Kiwis in Tokyo are organising a flood relief fundraiser event for SuperGrans Tairawhiti Trust, a longstanding registered charity operating across Gisborne and the East Coast region. The incredible organisation has been providing grass roots support of meals, emergency care and essential resources to people who have been directly displaced. On an ongoing basis, SuperGrans whanau(extended family) mentors share their knowledge and skills with people in their communities based on the concept of kaitiaki mentoring (the sharing of generational knowledge).
A committee of senior NZ business people in Japan will be hosting an event including an auction of generously donated gifts and experiences from individuals and businesses across Japan and New Zealand. All profits from ticket sales and proceeds from the auction will go directly to SuperGrans. The event details are set out below. The event is supported by both the Japan New Zealand Business Council, the Australia New Zealand Chamber of Commerce and other global law firms, corporates and institutions. Ambassador Hamish Cooper will be attending and speaking at the event.
We encourage you to participate in the event in three ways:
1. Please share the details among your colleagues and contacts;
2. Please register for the event using the link below and encourage your colleagues and contacts to do the same; and
3. Please consider if you have any item or experience you would like to contribute to the charity auction. If so, please reach out to the following contact people in the organising committee and they will help you with logistics. Other prizes include donations of wine and food, hotel stays, internships, bungy jumping, signed rugby jerseys dinner with Steve Hanson etc!
Jacky Scanlan-Dyas Jacky.Scanlan-Dyas@hoganlovells.com
Ryo Hayakawa ryo.hayakawa@aksus.jp
Name: Japan Friends of NZ - Flooding Fundraiser Charity Auction
Date: Thursday, 27 April 2023
Time: 19:00-21:30 (doors open at 18:30)
Venue: New York Ballroom, Tokyo American Club
Price: 18,000 yen (includes four return flights to NZ as door prizes, band, standing buffet dinner and free flowing drinks)
Dress code: Business/cocktail
Registration deadline: Thursday, 20 April 2023
Link to register for the event: Japan Friends of New Zealand: Flood Recovery Fundraiser Auction | Australian and New Zealand Chamber of Commerce in Japan on Glue Up
Thank you for your support.
It would be much appreciated if you could reach out to your colleagues and business partners in Japan to spread the word and encourage a great turn out for this very worthy initiative.
Red Cross
A number of other community events are planned complementary to the “SuperGrans fundraiser”.
In particular, Wakanui, Tokyo Tower and Osawa Wines plan to hold a series of BBQ fundraising events in Tokyo and regional locations designed to reach out to Japan New Zealand friendship societies, other organisations linked to New Zealand, and the wider community with the proceeds to go to NZ Red Cross.
Please see details in the attached flyer.
Separately, at a corporate level, Oji Holdings and a number of other companies have announced financial contributions to help those who have been affected by the disaster and assist in their recovery.
