Watermelon donations won’t make it to NZ earthquake relief

© Tevita Motulalo

THE declared donation of watermelons from Tongan growers to assist in the Christchurch earthquake relief effort will not leave Tongan shores.

President of the Tonga New Zealand Business Association, Afeaki, said to Tonga Chronicle that the container of watermelons was supposed to reach Christchurch by the last week of October.

“Due to a delay in filling the container because of a delay in harvest as there was a drought earlier, we could not send it as expected by Christchurch,” he said.

The organizing committee had raised about TOP$8000 for the purchase of watermelons from Tongan farmers. Afeaki said that the Office of the Mayor in Christchurch then advised that the donation be made to Tonga Red Cross.

“But we proposed another option, for two families from Christchurch take a holiday to Tonga supported by the funds raised,” said Afeaki.

He said discussion with Christchurch, on the latest option is ongoing, whilst at the same time consulting with donors to the fund to the decision.

“Even considering returning their donations,” said Afeaki.

The organizing committee opted to send a container of watermelons for the relief effort following the earthquake that devastated Christchurch on the 4^th of September.

The Tongan government led a fundraising effort, which saw more than $80k donations from locals to the relief effort in New Zealand.