King Kapisi to headline benefit concert for struggling families

King Kapisi.

A benefit concert in August will raise much needed funds for the new Whare 4 Whanau project - which will accommodate struggling families.

The event would feature national musicians such as King Kapisi, Beau Monga and Bella. A second line up announcement will be made in three weeks time.

Tautoko - A Benefit Concert for Whare Tauranga will be held on August 26.

Last week Te Tuinga Whanau Support Services director Tommy Wilson announced the Tauranga Moana Maori Trust had offered the agency one of its buildings in the central city to be used to provide an "oasis" for up to three families at a time who had been living in cars, caravans or sheds.

Bill Urale aka King Kapisi said he was really excited to be coming to Tauranga and catching up with the whanau here.

"I'm blessed to have been asked to lend my time so I hope we can make a real difference on the night," he told the Bay of Plenty Times.

Event organiser Pat Spellman said he was excited about the first event planned to raise money for the much needed charity. "For Tautoko the initial goal is to raise close to $20,000 to kick things off. But I'm a realist, and I know how events work - so I'm being cautiously optimistic about numbers - but I'm confident that our community will get behind this, it's going to be an amazing night."

Mr Spellman said he was inspired by Mr Wilson, his team and the work they did for the community.

"They are talking the talk and creating what I believe will make a measurable difference to a problem that seems to be locally growing.

"The Whare Tauranga kaupapa is a massive step in the right direction - so this is my team's way of getting behind that."